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Copyright © 1997, Jay Ligda.  All rights reserved.  Published by Humans in the Universe and Jay Ligda.

Stuck in Stress Reaction

      Stressors that stay with the soma for extended periods of time are called "chronic stressors" (Kabat-Zinn, 1990, p. 250).  These stressors are not easily fought off or escaped from.  Chronic stressors (in the human soma) are often found in work, family and social situations on which some part of the individuals survival is believed to be dependant and therefore, inescapable.  When exposed to chronic stressors, the soma falls out of homeostasis and does not easily return (there are more stressors in the environment than the soma can affectively deal with).  The sympathetic nervous system remains active leaving very little time for the parasympathetic nervous system to let the soma rest.  There is a continuous flood of chemical messengers that get repressed in the body.  The fight-or-flight reaction builds up inside and the human soma is "unable to fight or run because both are socially unacceptable . . ." (Kabat-Zinn, 1990, p. 255).  A "learned helplessness" sets in and one can become depressed (Pearson and Shaw, 1982, p. 182).  The model of reality created in the mind does not allow the body to affectively deal with the situation.  This is a mind-body split.

by Jay Ligda

(This work is a all or part of an original work first published/written for John. F. Kennedy University:  Final Integrative Project., Mar1996.)


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References

  • Kabat-Zinn, J.  (1990).  Full Catastrophe Living:  Using the Wisdom of the Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness.  New York, NY:  Dell.
  • Pearson, D. & Shaw, S. (1982).  Life Extension:  A Practical Scientific Approach.  New York, NY:  Warner.
  • Pearson, D. & Shaw, S. (1982).  Life Extension:  A Practical Scientific Approach.  New York, NY:  Warner.

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