Effects of stress on emotions and feelings
No matter how much one tries to act "emotioneless", to follow prudence only, it is impossible not to feel emotions. Emotions can be suppressed voluntarily, but we can never "turn them off" at full. Whenever we are under stress the limbic system is activated and it is one of the major centers responsible for emotions and feelings.
It is very important to mention that the effects of stress on emotions are as much physiological as psychological. Hormones have direct effect on emotions and no matter what our attitude toward the stressor is, emotions may be greatly affected just by the availability of a certain hormone. Fear triggered by adrenaline is one example.
The effects of stress on emotions are complex and not fully understood. There is a myriad of theories explaining emotions, and the link between consciousness and brain physiology is still not understood. As a general source of information about the effects of stress on emotions we offer you to visit the following site: http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap5/
What happens in general:
Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration rise in order to supply muscles and brain with more oxygen. More blood is sent to the skeletal muscles and the brain, while blood flow decreases to the stomach, kidneys, skin and liver. Sexual and immune functions are suppressed. Hormones acting as natural opiates are released, in order to relieve potentially existing pain. Natural fats and sugars are actively produced to supply the organism with extra energy. Senses become sharper. The organism activates those systems crucial for an immediate physical response and decreases the energy supply to those organs, which are not so important in a state of emergency.
In short the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated. It should be noted however that some people tend to respond in just the opposite way in a stressful situation. In their organisms the parasympathetic system is stimulated, hence the symptoms are opposite - low blood pressure, slower respiration rate, muscles are too relaxed, fits are possible. However the majority of people respond to stressors with activation of the sympathetic system.
suggest additional material/new interpretations on the subject
Web Sites:
http://studentweb.tulane.edu/~bvsnbthd/ - glossary of psychological terms
http://www.apa.org/releases/emotionmem.html
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Books:
"General Psychology", Moskowitz, Orgel
The language of feelings, David Viscot
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