How the Body Responds to Stress

About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about the physiological processes our body undergoes when confronted with a stressor, focusing in particular on: (i) the role of the sympathomedullary (SAM) pathway in mounting the initial fight or flight response; (ii) the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in maintaining the body’s response to threat over a longer period of time; (iii) what assistance we can provide to those who have been exposed to an acute stressor, for example in a life-threatening situation; (iv) the importance of providing both medical and psychological care; (v) the concept of ‘psychological first aid’, as proposed by Alexander (2005).

About the lecturer

Sarita Robinson (Psychology BSc - Lancaster University; Cognitive Sciences MSc - Manchester University) completed her PhD in Cognitive and Neuroimmune Responses to Threat at Lancaster University before joining the School of Psychology at UCLan in 2005. Sarita’s research interests mainly focus on cognitive neuropsychology and psychobiology in relation to people in survival situations. Sarita is also interested in the link between dental health and Alzheimer’s disease, the health benefits of Green space and Post-Traumatic Growth after trauma. Sarita is also passionate about science communication and undertakes extensive public engagement work.