ABSTRACT
H. Selye initially described the biological stress response as follows: The presence of a stressor acts upon the anterior pituitary and stimulates the secretion of somatotropic and adrenocorticotropic hormones. Although the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine interactions in the stress response are not yet completely understood, the catecholamines have been implicated as contributing to increased risk of heart disease and hypertension. In addition to the complex relationship of stress to catecholamine secretion, there seem to be specific reactions to specific stressors-for example, hepatic enzyme response to pentobarbital administration. A specific stressor activated a general, multifactorial hormonal response even before obvious symptoms occurred. The influence of psychological factors on stress-related hormonal patterns has been well documented. The biological stress response is psychologically determined not only by the appraisal of a stressor, but also by an ameliorative factor. In other words, the stress is no longer treated as a stressor when it can be dealt with adequately.
