Physiological effects of stress
Nervous System
When physical or psychological stress hits the body, it suddenly shifts its energy resources to fighting off the perceived threat. The fight or flight response causes the sympathetic nervous system to release adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones make the heart beat faster, raise blood pressure, change the digestive process and boost glucose levels in the bloodstream. Once the crisis passes the systems usually return to normal.
Musculoskeletal System
Muscles tense up whilst under stress, muscles contract for a longer period of time, triggering headaches, migraines and various musculoskeletal conditions.
Respiratory System
Stress can make you breathe harder and cause rapid breathing, which can bring on panic attacks in some people.
Cardiovascular System
Contractions of the heart muscles are increased due to acute stress. The amount of blood pumped to the large muscles in your body is increased. Repeated episodes of stress can cause inflammation in the coronary arteries, thought to lead to heart attack.
Endocrine System
Adrenal glands: The brain sends signals frm the hypothalamus when the body is stressed, causing the adrenal complex to produce cortisiol and the adrenal modulla to produce noradrenalin– sometimes called “stress hormones”
Liver: The liver produces more glucose when cortisol and noradrenalin are released, a blood sugar that would gives the necessary energy to fight or flight in an emergency.
Gastrointestinal System
Esophagus: Stress may prompt you to eat more or much less than you usually do. If you eat more or different foods or increase your use of tobacco or alcohol you may experience heartburn or acid reflux.
Stomach: your stomach may react with “butterflies” or even nausea or pain. You can vomit if the stress is severe enough.
Bowels: Stress can affect digestion and which nutrients your intestines absorb. It can also affect how quickly the food moves through your body. Diarrhoea or constipation can occour.
Immune system
The immune system is the internal system which is designed to protect us from any external bodies (viruses or bacteria). It costs a lot to the body meaning that it has very high energy usage. Under stress your body needs energy to run or fight. This is why it changes its chemistry to suppress the immune system. This is why we usually get ill before or after exams or big challenges at work.
Physiological effects of stress encountered by Nina in the Black Swan.
Nina often experiences episodes that suggest self-harm. Throughout the film she scratches at her self without even realising it (as in the image in her reflection). She comes to see what is happening and goes as far as bandaging each nail to attempt to stop the self-mutating habit.
The Gastrointestinal system is affected as Nina begins to vomit from stress.
Nina's feet are affected due to her excessive dancing brought upon by stress. This is an example of the musculoskeletal system under stress.