'Stressors result in a variety of stress reaction.' Discuss.

1. Stressors result in a variety of stress reactions, which may be physiological, behavioural, emotional and cognitive.

2. Physiological level arousal plays a key role in stress-related behaviours. The hypothalamus initiates action along two pathways. The first pathway involves the autonomic nervous system. The adrenal gland releases large amount of catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) into the blood stream. This leads to physiological changes seen in fight-or-flight response. The second pathway involves the pituitary gland, which secretes the corticosteroid (Cortisol) which provides energy.

3. The emotional reactions to experience of stress include negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, embarrassment, anger, depression or eve denial.

4. The behavioural responses are virtually limitless, depending on the nature of the stressful event. Confrontative action against the stressor (fight) and withdrawal from the threatening event (flight) are two general categories of behavioural responses.

5. Cognitive responses include beliefs about the harm or threat an event poses and beliefs about its causes or controllability. These include responses such as inability to concentrate, and intrusive, repetitive or morbid thoughts.