ABSTRACT
Human responses to adversity are as variable as humans themselves, resulting in dramatically different reactions to the same experience. Following a stressful event, some people find themselves spurred into positive action, some are able to continue with their former existence, and some might be burdened with a sense of hopelessness, anxiety, or depression. Accompanying these unpredictable psychological states are internal physical experiences that are equally variable. Gaining an understanding of how to foster positive outcomes in the face of stress or trauma requires an appreciation of the interrelatedness of the body's regulatory systems as well as its plasticity in the face of change. We must attempt to understand the positive outcomes as well as the breakdown of functioning in order to invest in systems that encourage recovery and health. In the following chapter, we discuss allostasis as a model for understanding vulnerability and resilience in human responses to adversity.
