Biological agitation describes a state of heightened physiological arousal characterized by increased sympathetic nervous system activity and dysregulated hormonal secretion. Clinically, this manifests as restlessness, anxiety, and a compromised capacity for homeostatic regulation. It often results from chronic exposure to perceived stressors, leading to sustained elevations in glucocorticoids like cortisol and catecholamines. This chronic neuroendocrine overdrive depletes adaptive reserves and predisposes the individual to metabolic and immune dysfunction.
Origin
The term draws its conceptual basis from the physiological stress response model, first articulated by Hans Selye as the General Adaptation Syndrome. It is an extension of the fight-or-flight mechanism, applied to a chronic, non-acute context. The modern understanding integrates concepts from neuroendocrinology, recognizing the crucial role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in mediating this sustained state of internal turbulence.
Mechanism
Biological agitation is mediated through the rapid release of norepinephrine and epinephrine from the adrenal medulla, followed by the slower, sustained release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex. These hormones act on various target tissues, increasing heart rate, mobilizing glucose, and suppressing non-essential functions like digestion and reproduction. Prolonged activation leads to receptor downregulation and feedback loop desensitization, cementing a state of hypervigilance and hormonal imbalance.
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