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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973 1973]
==Definition==
*1 : relating to, being, or causing [[physiological]] [[changes]] in the [[body]] (as an increase in [[heart]] rate or dilation of bronchi) in response to [[stress]] <epinephrine is a fight–or–flight [[hormone]]> <a fight–or–flight [[reaction]]>
==Description==
The '''fight-or-flight''' response (also called the f''ight-or-flight-or-freeze response'', ''hyperarousal'', or the ''acute stress response'') is a [[physiological]] reaction that occurs in response to a perceived [[harmful]] event, [[attack]], or threat to [[survival]]. It was first described by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Bradford_Cannon Walter Bradford Cannon] by sympathetic nervous system activation that innervates the adrenal medulla, producing a hormonal cascade that results in the secretion of catecholamines, especially.[3] The reaction is activated by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomic_nervous_system autonomic nervous system], which primes the [[animal]] for fighting or fleeing.
This response is recognized as the first [[stage]] of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_(biological)#General_adaptation_syndrome general adaptation syndrome] that regulates [[stress]] responses among [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrate vertebrates] and other [[organisms]].
An [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_psychology evolutionary psychology] [[explanation]] is that early humans had to [[react]] to threatening stimuli quickly and did not have time to [[psychologically]] and physically [[prepare]] themselves. The fight or flight response provided [[prehistoric humans]] with the [[mechanisms]] to rapidly respond to threats against [[survival]].
Prolonged [[stress]] [[responses]] may result in chronic suppression of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system immune system], leaving the body open to [[infections]]. However, there is a short boost of the immune system shortly after the fight or flight response has been [[activated]]. This may have filled an [[ancient]] need to fight the infections in a [[wound]] that one may have received during interaction with a predator.
Stress responses are sometimes a result of mental disorders such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-traumatic_stress_disorder post-traumatic stress disorder], in which the individual shows a stress response when remembering a [[past]] [[trauma]], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_disorder panic disorder], in which the stress response is activated by the [[catastrophic]] misinterpretations of bodily sensations.
For potential positive [[meanings]], reference can be made to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Selye Hans Selye]'s psychological concept of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustress eustress] or good, healthy stress.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight-or-flight_response]
[[Category: Biology]]
[[Category: Psychology]]