Defense Physiology
Encyclopedia
Defense physiology is a term used to refer to the symphony of body function (physiology
) changes which occur in response to a stress or threat.
When the body executes the “fight-or-flight" reaction or stress response, the nervous system initiates, coordinates and directs specific changes in how the body is functioning (physiology
), preparing the body to deal with the threat. (See also General Adaptation Syndrome.)
threat : What constitutes a threat as it pertains to defense physiology? A threat may be consciously recognized or not. A physical event (a loud noise or car collision), a chemical or a biological agent which alters (or has the possibility to alter) body function (physiology
) away from optimum or healthy functioning (or away from its current state of functioning) may be perceived as a threat (also called a stressor).
Life circumstances, though posing no immediate physical danger, could be perceived
as a threat. Anything that could change the continuing of the person’s life as they are currently experiencing it could be perceived as a threat.
.
The perception
of a threat may also trigger an associated ‘feeling of distress’.
Physiological reactions triggered by mind cannot differentiate both the physical or mental threat separately, Hence the "fight-or-flight" response of mind for the both reactions will be same.
- The body executes the “Fight-or-flight
” reaction to get the body out of danger quickly. When the timing between the threat and the resolution of the threat are close, the “fight-or-flight
" reaction is executed, the threat is handled, and the body returns to its previous state (taking care of the business of life - digestion, relaxation, tissue repair etc.). The body is designed to stay in this mode for only a short time.
Chronic Stress State - When the timing between the threat and the resolution of the threat are more distant (the threat or the perception of threat is prolonged or other threats occur before the body has recovered), the “fight-or-flight
" reaction continues and becomes the new ‘standard operating condition’ of the body, chronic Defense Physiology. Continuing in this mode produces significant negative effects (distress) in many aspects of body functioning (physical, mental and emotional distress).
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
) changes which occur in response to a stress or threat.
When the body executes the “fight-or-flight" reaction or stress response, the nervous system initiates, coordinates and directs specific changes in how the body is functioning (physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
), preparing the body to deal with the threat. (See also General Adaptation Syndrome.)
Definitions
stress : As it pertains to the term defense physiology, the term stress refers to a perceived threat to the continued functioning of the body / life according to its current state.threat : What constitutes a threat as it pertains to defense physiology? A threat may be consciously recognized or not. A physical event (a loud noise or car collision), a chemical or a biological agent which alters (or has the possibility to alter) body function (physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
) away from optimum or healthy functioning (or away from its current state of functioning) may be perceived as a threat (also called a stressor).
Life circumstances, though posing no immediate physical danger, could be perceived
Perception
Perception is the process of attaining awareness or understanding of the environment by organizing and interpreting sensory information. All perception involves signals in the nervous system, which in turn result from physical stimulation of the sense organs...
as a threat. Anything that could change the continuing of the person’s life as they are currently experiencing it could be perceived as a threat.
Physiological reactions to threat (or perceived threat)
A threat may be either empirical (an outside observer may agree that the event or circumstance poses a threat) or a priori (an outside observer would not agree that the event or circumstance poses a threat). What is important to the individual, in terms of the body’s response, is that a threat is perceivedPerception
Perception is the process of attaining awareness or understanding of the environment by organizing and interpreting sensory information. All perception involves signals in the nervous system, which in turn result from physical stimulation of the sense organs...
.
The perception
Perception
Perception is the process of attaining awareness or understanding of the environment by organizing and interpreting sensory information. All perception involves signals in the nervous system, which in turn result from physical stimulation of the sense organs...
of a threat may also trigger an associated ‘feeling of distress’.
Physiological reactions triggered by mind cannot differentiate both the physical or mental threat separately, Hence the "fight-or-flight" response of mind for the both reactions will be same.
Duration of threat and its different physiological effects on the nervous system.
Acute Stress ReactionFight-or-flight response
The fight-or-flight response was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon....
- The body executes the “Fight-or-flight
Fight-or-flight response
The fight-or-flight response was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon....
” reaction to get the body out of danger quickly. When the timing between the threat and the resolution of the threat are close, the “fight-or-flight
Fight-or-flight response
The fight-or-flight response was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon....
" reaction is executed, the threat is handled, and the body returns to its previous state (taking care of the business of life - digestion, relaxation, tissue repair etc.). The body is designed to stay in this mode for only a short time.
Chronic Stress State - When the timing between the threat and the resolution of the threat are more distant (the threat or the perception of threat is prolonged or other threats occur before the body has recovered), the “fight-or-flight
Fight-or-flight response
The fight-or-flight response was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon....
" reaction continues and becomes the new ‘standard operating condition’ of the body, chronic Defense Physiology. Continuing in this mode produces significant negative effects (distress) in many aspects of body functioning (physical, mental and emotional distress).