Question

How can a stressful event such as loosing your job affect your physical health ? Include a description of what happens in the autonomic nervous system in your explanation

Answer 1

Sympathetic nervous system activity is the first response to a stressful event such as job loss. Many effects such as restlessness, muscle tension, and stress in the cardiovascular system are observed. Over time, the nervous system, along with hormones and glands generate waste that throws the balance of the body off. When there is a constant stress, the hypothalamus part of the brain that works in employing stress busters is thrown off balance. There is no proper looping mechanism that helps the hypothalamus get its necessary responses. All of it has been lost due to disturbed sleeping patterns, eating disorders and general stress over job loss. As time passes, this results in fatigue or brain fog that disrupts even everyday functions. Lack of proper functioning of the hypothalamus will cause Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary to be continuously secreted which in turn release the cortisol (stress hormone). The hypothalamus essentially reverses all this once the stress is gone, but in this case, the stress persists. This results eventually in a nervous breakdown. This can lead to chronic pain, depression, substance abuse, weight gain or weight loss, suicidal thoughts, loneliness and a general feeling of worthlessness.