Stress Theory and Its Physiological Components, Term Paper Example

Introduction

“Stress” is such a powerful word that is used over and over again to define the most common situation that most individuals experience at present. With the many sources of stress that is present in the world today, it could not be denied that people from all walks of life seem to get an idea on what stress is all about[1]. Nonetheless, it could not be denied that there is more to stress than the usual knowledge that is known to the society. The capability of a person to know what stress is, what causes it and what it affects in an individual makes one more capable of handling the hardships of life and most likely be able to recover from stressing situations they meet with daily.

Through the years of understanding the different matters concerning stress and its impact in the society and the individuals experiencing it has lead to the realization of the possibility of dealing with the issue through understanding the components that make it up. In the discussion that follows, a focus on stress’ physiological components shall be further presented. With the understanding focused upon the said components, it is expected that stress, as a form of health problem would be better understood and thus be easier to diagnose in a person; this then would lead to early treatment and better recovery on the part of the person experiencing the pressures of stress[2]. First to note though is the makeup of stress theory. Through understanding stress theory, one would be able to get a better picture of what basically contributes to one’s experiences of stressful pressures.

What is Stress Theory?

Stress theory defines the occurrence of stress to be sourced out from both physiological and psychological contributing components. With stress noted as a negative concept of emotion, it is expected to affect one’s being in a more emotional context. However, being a strong negative factor, this emotional bearing affects the physical health of an individual in many different levels[3]. Relatively, this is where the context of the physiological factors of stress comes in. The biochemical makeup of the body responds to the emotional situation one has to contend with. This is defined to be the internal contributing factors to the establishment of stressful accounts in an individual.

Different theories about stress often define its existence to be dependent on both external and internal factors. Most often than not, the results of such contributory elements show in the form of physical irregularities that affects the being of the individual affected by stress. The manifestation of such occurrences is noted to be the symptoms that indicate a person’s stress level. The more serious the symptoms appear, the more serious the stress is hence must be treated early on at the start of the situation[4]. Considerably, the way the body responds to such matter is an important part of understanding stress and knowing how important it is to deal with this issue in a more considerable approach that would benefit the condition of the stressing individuals.

The Physiological Components

Being a subjective matter, stress affects specific aspects of the human body based on one’s behaviour. Most often than not, the pressure that a person tends to face when change happens causes one to experience negative emotions. Being settled in one’s comfort zone especially makes one unsusceptible to change[5]. At this point, the body responds accordingly. Most often than not, the physical effects of such situations include mild to severe headaches accompanied by chest pains and other muscle aches. These are some of the basic physical signs of stress; however, when cases of stress do not get addressed as immediate as need, the situation worsens and the physical impact of the situations become even more evident that it sometimes result to deeper health issues.

Other physical responses to stress may include increase of muscle tone, cardiac output, excessive or uncontrolled oxygen distribution to the different parts of the body due to the resulting irregularity of blood flow. Others who are stressed even sometimes experience bowel problems causing more serious health concerns. The reason for this occurrence is the fact that the body is organized to work together. If the emotional sector of the body functions on a weaker state then the whole body responds accordingly. The anatomy of the body’s defence system or notably defined in psychology as the “fight or flight” response of a person is designed to react on how the external subjects affect the disposition of a person based on his or her behavioural characteristic[6].

Basically, it is each person’s individual behaviour that defines the pattern of response that each takes into consideration when facing stressful situations. In this regard, the impact of stress in a person also depends in the context of individual response hence mandating the process by which the body correlatively reacts to the matter. The capability of a person to withstand hard blows of life’s challenges allows his physical condition to be stable even when in the middle of distress. However, those who are less able to accept change as a measure of life’s reality are less likely to survive such blows, when they do, several physical damages are often already incurred such as getting ill, especially when the areas affected include the heart and the brain. These aspects of physical function become duly distressed hence are causing the central operation of the different organs to falter.

Conclusion

Understanding stress and accepting its impact is one of the most important aspects that make it possible for a stressed individual to recover from the situation. Notably, it could be realized that with the capability of individuals to understand that life in itself is a roller coaster of change, they would be able to face the challenges in a more remarkable manner that defines their course of facing life’s adversities. In helping one to cope relatively from the pressing situation, it is then suggested that attendees of such an individual focus on his or her behavioural perception. Dealing early on with this aspect of the a person’s being provides one the chance to become more aware of how he should deal with future stresses in a more responsive manner and less pressing approach. Considerably, the ability of one to become more comprehensive in accepting the facts of life including stresses and pressures shall make them more capable of preparing towards bigger issues while retaining their physical integrity and the stability of their physical strength thus avoiding the instances when physical pressures shall occur. This way, the stress could become easier to manage in an individual. True, from this research, it could be noted that the specific issues of stress could be dealt with successfully through a simple change of attitude and behavioural disposition on the part of the individuals being affected.

References:

Graham, J., Christian, L. & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. (2006). Stress, Age, and Immune Function: Toward a Lifespan Approach. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29, 389-400.

Dantzer, R. & Kelley, K. (1989). Stress and immunity: An integrated view of relationships between the brain and the immune system. Life Sciences, 44, 1995-2008.

Glaser, R. & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2005). “Stress-induced immune dysfunction: Implications for health.” Immunology, 5, 243-251.

Khansari, D., Murgo, A., & Faith, R. (1990). Effects of stress on the immune system. Immunology Today, 11, 170-175.

[1] Glaser, R. & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2005). “Stress-induced immune dysfunction: Implications for health.” Immunology, 5, 243-251.

[2] Dantzer, R. & Kelley, K. (1989). Stress and immunity: An integrated view of relationships between the brain and the immune system. Life Sciences, 44, 1995-2008.

[3] Dantzer, R. & Kelley, K. (1989). Stress and immunity: An integrated view of relationships between the brain and the immune system. Life Sciences, 44, 1995-2008.

[4] Khansari, D., Murgo, A., & Faith, R. (1990). Effects of stress on the immune system. Immunology Today, 11, 170-175.

[5] Khansari, D., Murgo, A., & Faith, R. (1990). Effects of stress on the immune system. Immunology Today, 11, 170-175.

[6] Khansari, D., Murgo, A., & Faith, R. (1990). Effects of stress on the immune system. Immunology Today, 11, 170-175.