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Hans Selye defined stress as “the nonspecific (that is, common) result of any demand upon the body, be the effect mental or somatic.” [5] This includes the medical definition of stress as a physical demand and the colloquial definition of stress as a psychological demand. A stressor is inherently neutral meaning that the same stressor can ...
However, the problem arises when there is a persistent threat. First-time exposure to a stressor will trigger an acute stress response in the body; however, repeated and continuous exposure causes the stressor to become chronic. [4] McEwen and Stellar (1993) argued there is a "hidden cost of chronic stress to the body over long time periods". [8]
The reaction of these systems causes a number of physical changes that have both short- and long-term effects on the body. [24] The Holmes and Rahe stress scale was developed as a method of assessing the risk of disease from life changes. [25] The scale lists both positive and negative changes that elicit stress.
Excessive stress and sleep deprivation can cause cardiovascular issues, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. In a study focusing on the impacts of chronic stress on the heart, it was found that during times of chronic stress, the body hyperactivates the sympathetic nervous system which leads to changes in heart rate variability. [22]
When a child or adult experiences a stressor, the body will attempt to regulate the stress through releasing hormones that pass through the body. [4] However, effects of the prolonged or frequent biological stress response may increase the risk for future physical and mental health problems in early childhood. [ 23 ]
Transgenerational stress in humans, as in animal models, induces effects influencing social behavior, reproductive success, cognitive ability, and stress response. [3] Similar to animal models, human studies have investigated the role of epigenetics and transgenerational inheritance molecularly as it relates to the HPA system.
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Traumatic events or any type of shock to the body can cause an acute stress response disorder (ASD). The extent to which one experiences ASD depends on the extent of the shock. If the shock was pushed past a certain extreme after a particular period in time ASD can develop into what is commonly known as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [11]