In stressful situations, our brain and body go through a series of reactions aimed at protecting us from stressors. The basics of psychophysiology help us better understand how stress affects the body and the mechanisms that are activated during this time. Elevated hormone levels, changes in heart function and breathing — each reaction has its own causes and consequences. Let’s dive into the fundamentals of this process, explore its factors, and determine how best to cope with feelings of pressure, depression, or the inability to overcome a particular problem.
What Causes Stress?
Before diving into the basics of psychophysiology, let’s clarify some definitions. Stress is not just a “difficult problem” or a “bad day.” It is a primary psycho-emotional reaction that causes a series of nonspecific changes in the body’s functioning. Psychophysiology indicates that these reactions can affect the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, and other systems. The purpose of these reactions is to maintain homeostasis, or internal stability of the body.
For an emotional stress reaction to occur, a conflict situation is needed in which a person feels unable to meet their needs. Stressors, or factors that throw us off balance, can vary: from biological (hunger, pain, lack of oxygen, etc.) to emotional (conflicts at work or in the family, undeserved insults, and so on).
Fight, Flight, or Freeze!
The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is one of the key concepts in the basics of psychophysiology. It is a defensive reaction that occurs in response to external and internal stressors.
- Anxiety is the first stage of GAS. In psychophysiology, it is also known as the shock phase. During this period, the brain responds to a stressor with a rapid release of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These chemical signals mobilize the body to fight or flee (avoid) the stressor. As a result, blood pressure rises, heart rate increases, breathing deepens, muscle tone decreases, and body temperature changes, often accompanied by trembling or lethargy.
- The resistance stage follows. The body tries to adapt to ongoing stressors. Psychophysiology shows that the brain and adrenal glands continue to intensely produce stress hormones, and their concentration reaches its peak at this stage. The body tries to conserve energy, but this can lead to dysfunction of the immune system, an increase in white and red blood cells in the blood.
- The third stage is exhaustion, where the body’s resources are depleted. There is a noticeable decrease in stress hormones, and both physical and emotional energy levels drop. Immunity weakens, and serious health issues can arise, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, or even cardiovascular diseases.
Studying psychophysiology helps us better understand the effects of stress, enabling timely intervention to mitigate its impact. Early intervention can significantly alleviate the consequences, restore overall health, and improve well-being.
Psychophysiology Basics for Professionals
Knowledge of psychophysiology helps psychologists better understand the physical aspects of psychological problems. This is useful when working with clients dealing with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Understanding the physiological processes in the body allows for selecting more effective techniques and therapy methods.
Moreover, understanding psychophysiology makes it easier for psychologists to communicate with medical professionals and other specialists in multidisciplinary team approaches to patient treatment. A clear understanding of the definitions and mechanisms used in medical diagnosis facilitates collaboration and improves the efficiency of the treatment process.
Thus, psychophysiology is important in a psychologist’s daily work for understanding the nature of stress and significantly improves the effectiveness of client work and collaboration with colleagues.
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