Stress and Its Impact on the Body

Question

Answer

The processes of stress and the stress response is multifactorial.  The summary of the processes of stress are as follows:

1. The brain is the key organ and it interprets what is a threat or potentially stressful.
2. Psychological and behavioral responses can either be adaptive or damaging.  This can lead to a vicious cycle.
3. It involves a two-way communication between the brain and cardiovascular, immune and other systems via neural and endocrine mechanisms.
4. Besides acute stress (Flight or flight responses), chronic stress can lead to wear and tear on the body or "allostatic load".
5. Hormones associated with stress protect the body in the short run and promote adaptation or "allostasis".
6. The brain is the target of stress, and the hippocampus (memory) was the first brain region, besides the hypothalamus, to be recognized as the target of glucocorticoids.
7. When people are stressed, memory is often affected. 
8. Stress and stress hormones produce adaptive and maladaptive responses in the brain region throughout the life course.
9. Early life events influence life long pattens of emotionality and stress responsiveness. The brain retains a memory of this trauma (i.e. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder).
10. As an adjunct to pharmaceutical treatment, social and behavioral interventions, such as regular physical activity and social support groups, reduce chronic stress burden and benefit brain and body health and resilience.

Occupational therapy can play a vital role in stress reduction in individuals, especially through participation in meaningful occupation.