The sympathomedullary response to acute stress

The sympathomedullary response to acute stress

1. Cerebral Cortex.

   • Processes information.
   • Hippocampus.
     • Hypothalamus.
       • Direct nerve cell connections through the spine.
         • Adrenal medullar.
           • Adrenaline.
           • Noradrenaline.
       • Triggers the SAM response.
     • Recognises threat using memory.

2. Bodily responses to acute stress.

   • Dilated pupils.
   • Dry mouth.
   • Bladder relaxes.
   • Heightened emotions (e.g. fear).
   • Increased blood pressure.
   • Numbing of pain.
   • Increased heart rate.
   • Liver produces more glucose to increase energy.
   • Breathing rate increases.

3. Taylor et al. found that acute stress produces the fight-or-flight response in men but the tend-and-befriend response in women.

   • There may be gender differences.

4. McCarty found that age changes the intensity of the SAM response in rats.

   • Older rats produced less adrenaline than younger rats.
     • However research done with animals cannot necessarily be generalised to humans.