concept

fight-or-flight response

Also known as: fight or flight, fight-or-flight reaction

Facts (30)

Sources

Stress, Lifestyle, and Health – Psychology 2e OpenStax pressbooks.cuny.edu CUNY Pressbooks 6 facts

claimDuring the fight-or-flight response, the body is rapidly aroused through the activation of both the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system to prepare the individual to fight or flee from a perceived threat.

procedureWhen a person perceives a stressor, the sympathetic nervous system triggers arousal by releasing adrenaline from the adrenal glands, which activates fight-or-flight responses such as accelerated heart rate and respiration.

claimThe fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction triggered by the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal glands, causing symptoms such as pupil dilation, increased heart rate, heavy breathing, perspiration, and muscle tension.

claimWalter Cannon proposed in 1932 that the fight-or-flight response occurs when a person experiences very strong emotions, particularly those associated with a perceived threat.

claimWalter Cannon first identified the fight-or-flight response, which is the body's primary physiological response during stress, in the early 20th century.

claimThe fight-or-flight response involves the coordinated activity of both the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Stress, Lifestyle, and Health – Introduction to Psychology open.maricopa.edu Maricopa Open Digital Press 5 facts

claimThe alarm reaction stage of the general adaptation syndrome describes the body’s immediate reaction to a threatening situation or emergency, functioning similarly to the fight-or-flight response described by Walter Cannon.

claimThe fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction to strong emotions, particularly those associated with a perceived threat, characterized by the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine from the adrenal glands, pupil dilation, increased heart rate, heavy breathing, perspiration, and muscle tension.

claimDuring the fight-or-flight response, the body is rapidly aroused by the activation of both the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system to prepare the individual to fight or flee from a perceived threat.

claimThe release of adrenaline activates fight-or-flight responses, including accelerated heart rate and respiration.

claimWalter Cannon viewed the fight-or-flight response as an adaptive mechanism that assists in maintaining homeostasis, allowing individuals to stabilize physiological variables like blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and temperature at levels optimal for survival.

Chronic stress leads to health problems | MU Extension extension.missouri.edu University of Missouri Extension Jun 8, 2018 3 facts

claimThe 'fight-or-flight reaction' causes a sudden increase in hormones, specifically adrenaline and cortisol.

claimChronic stress, where the fight-or-flight response never shuts down, can lead to sleep disturbances, memory impairment, skin problems, depression, digestive troubles, obesity, and heart disease.

claimWhen a person feels threatened, the hypothalamus at the base of the brain triggers an alarm system known as the 'fight-or-flight reaction'.

Stress, Lifestyle, and Health - Maricopa Open Digital Press open.maricopa.edu Maricopa Open Digital Press 2 facts

claimThe alarm reaction is the first stage of the general adaptation syndrome, characterized as the body’s immediate physiological reaction to a threatening situation or emergency, analogous to the fight-or-flight response.

claimThe fight-or-flight response is a set of physiological reactions, including increases in blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and sweat, that occur when an individual encounters a perceived threat; these reactions are produced by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system.

Environmental factors and mental health | Research Starters - EBSCO ebsco.com EBSCO 2 facts

procedureWhen individuals are exposed to an environmental stressor, the body initially responds by initiating coping mechanisms, such as preparing for fight or flight, which triggers physiological changes driven by the adrenal-cortical system.

claimWhen individuals are exposed to an environmental stressor, the body initially responds by initiating coping mechanisms, preparing for fight or flight, and triggering physiological changes driven by the adrenal-cortical system.

Associations between pain intensity, psychosocial factors ... - Nature nature.com Nature Jun 12, 2024 1 fact

claimFear, worry, and helplessness trigger physiological responses through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, known as the body's 'fight or flight' response.

Childhood Trauma and its effect on Adulthood - Palo Alto University paloaltou.edu Palo Alto University 1 fact

claimChildhood trauma negatively affects physiological functions by altering the stress response, triggering autoimmune disorders, dysregulating hormonal pathways, and impacting the HPA axis, the fight-or-flight response, and reward circuits.

Overview of Anxiety Disorders - Psychiatry - MSD Manuals msdmanuals.com MSD Manuals 1 fact

claimPatients with anxiety disorders typically respond to perceived danger with a 'fight-or-flight' response, which manifests as either a counter-phobic 'fight' response or, more commonly, avoidance behavior.

Stress: Its Negative Impact on Your Mental & Physical Health cwcare.net CW Care Jun 7, 2023 1 fact

claimMen typically manage stress using a 'fight or flight' response, whereas women typically manage stress using a 'tend and befriend' response.

7 Major Organ Systems: Functions and Connections instituteofhumananatomy.com Institute of Human Anatomy Nov 23, 2025 1 fact

claimThe nervous system functions as the command center during stress by initiating the fight-or-flight response, which increases heart rate, channels blood to key muscles, and prompts the release of stress hormones like adrenaline.

Understanding Stress - Causes, Effects and Management Tips store.mayoclinic.com Mayo Clinic Nov 25, 2024 1 fact

claimThe body's 'fight or flight' response to stress involves the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which cause increased heart rate, quickened breathing, and elevated blood pressure.

Implications for Mental Health and Coping Strategies | OxJournal oxjournal.org oxjournal.org Aug 12, 2024 1 fact

claimThe body's 'fight-or-flight' response involves the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which are beneficial in short-term, acute stressful situations.

Stress: What It Is, Symptoms, Management & Prevention my.clevelandclinic.org Cleveland Clinic May 15, 2024 1 fact

claimThe autonomic nervous system controls bodily functions including heart rate, breathing, and vision changes, and includes a built-in 'fight-or-flight' stress response.

Cognitive Stress Management Therapy | CBT for Stress cognitivetherapynyc.com Cognitive Therapy NYC 1 fact

claimShort-term activation of the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal hormones primes the body to fight or flee in response to a stressor.

Human body systems: Overview, anatomy, functions | Kenhub kenhub.com Kenhub 1 fact

claimThe sympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system that is mostly active during stress and is informally known for producing the 'flight or fight' state.

Therapy for Stress Management: Top 5 Powerful Benefits claritytherapynyc.com Clarity Therapy NYC 1 fact

procedureThe body's 'fight-or-flight' response to stressors involves the release of cortisol and adrenaline, which increases heart rate and blood pressure, redirects blood flow to major muscle groups, enhances alertness and focus, and temporarily suppresses non-essential bodily functions.

Systems and organs | Anatomy and Physiology | Research Starters ebsco.com EBSCO 1 fact

claimAdrenaline stimulates the 'fight or flight' response, which increases heart rate, heart contraction force, and blood flow to muscles during exercise and stress.