An individual's tendency for stress reactivity can be wired by early experiences of trauma. Such early traumatic experiences can shape how strongly a person reacts to perceived threats later in life, contributing to the negative health consequences associated with persistent and repeated exposure to psychological stress.

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The fight or flight response, while evolutionarily adaptive for acute physical threats, can be detrimental to health when persistently activated by modern psychological stressors. Since these threats often cannot be resolved by fighting or fleeing, the body experiences prolonged stress, which can lead to negative health outcomes. Research has linked this chronic exposure to an increased susceptibility to heart disease and impaired functioning of the immune system.

Health Consequences of Chronic Activation of the Fight or Flight Response

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

The mechanisms by which an organism eliminates pathogenic microbes and allergenic or toxic proteins, collectively known as antigens, in order to maintain normal function.  

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