Stress

The SAM Pathway

Immediate Stressor

Activate Hypothalamus

Stimulates the adrenal medula

Releases Adrenalin

Gets Body ready for flight or fight

Physiological reactions e.g increased heart rate.

The effects of flight or fight

Heart Rate = Increased/ Blood Pressure = Increased/ Secretion of saliva = Supressed (dry mouth)/Pupils of eye = Dilate (to aid vision)/ Limbs = Dilation of blood vessels of voluntary muscels/ Contraction of stomach = slows down we don't feel hungry / Bladder Mescels = relax (tempory loss of bladder control) / Breathing Rate = Increase / Liver = Glucose released into bloodstream to increase energy / Emotion = Experience of strong emotion.

The HPA axis

Chronic stressors

Activate Hypothalamus

Stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH

Stimulates the adrenal cortex

Releases Cortiosteroids

Liver releases energy and immune system is suppressed 

The HPA axis

Chronic stressors

Activate Hypothalamus

Stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH

Stimulates the adrenal cortex

Releases Cortiosteroids

Liver releases energy and immune system is suppressed