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Chronic Stress Physiology

Meaning

Chronic Stress Physiology describes the sustained activation and eventual dysregulation of the body’s adaptive stress response systems, primarily involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. This persistent physiological state moves beyond acute, beneficial responses, leading to an accumulated allostatic load that can compromise systemic balance. It represents the biological consequences when stress exposure outlasts the body’s capacity for recovery and adaptation.