Final answer:
The brain responds to extreme fear with a fight-or-flight response, involving the amygdala and hypothalamus triggering adrenal hormone release, causing physiological changes. Modern psychological stresses can trigger this response, leading to negative health effects when repeated. Stress reactivity can be influenced by early trauma experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an individual is faced with a super fear or high-arousal situation, even if there's no real physical danger, the brain activates the fight-or-flight response. This is a survival mechanism that has been critical for our ancestors and continues to prepare our body to either defend itself or run away from danger.
The response originates in the brain's amygdala, alerting the hypothalamus, which in turn triggers the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal glands. This leads to a series of physiological changes, including increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and muscle tension.
In the modern world, where threats are often psychological, this response can contribute to negative health consequences like heart disease and impaired immune function, particularly when exposure to stress is persistent.Early experiences of trauma can wire brains for greater stress reactivity.
The physiological effects during the fight-or-flight can also include bladder relaxation, tunnel vision, shaking, dilated pupils, a flushed face, dry mouth, slowed digestion, and even temporary hearing loss. Despite the lack of physical risks in situations like public speaking or examinations,
Our bodies react as if we're facing a real life-threatening event. Understanding this automatic reaction sheds light on various psychopathologies and stress-related illnesses.