ABSTRACT
In this chapter a synthesis of knowledge on the fundamentals of how the human body and mind respond to external stressors is presented. Depending on how the body and mind cope with acute or chronic stress, stressors (both psychosocial and physical) may cause an imbalance or disturbance of the human systems, which immediately or over time may cause physiological, physical and psychological changes. The human bodily processes in which these changes have an effect and can lead to diseases and disorders are described in Chapter 2. Chapter 2 also shows how the three major human systems regulate and control these processes and how they cope with these external stressors. The possible stress response mechanisms, including stressors, responses and factors of influence, are dealt with in Chapter 3 .
