What is the Origin of Chronic Systemic Alarm?

This concept is an evolution of Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, specifically focusing on the prolonged resistance or exhaustion phases under modern, non-life-threatening, but relentless, stress. In the clinical realm, it is used to explain the hormonal and inflammatory signatures observed in individuals with chronic fatigue, anxiety, and unexplained metabolic dysfunction. It highlights the body's inability to switch off its defense mechanisms.

What is the Mechanism of Chronic Systemic Alarm?

Continuous activation of the alarm state drives the chronic release of stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline, which mobilize energy reserves and suppress less immediate functions like digestion, reproduction, and immunity. Over time, sustained cortisol exposure can desensitize peripheral receptors and disrupt the delicate negative feedback loop between the brain and the adrenal glands. This persistent signaling imbalance leads to widespread systemic effects, including insulin resistance and elevated inflammatory markers.

Chronic Systemic Alarm ∞ Area

Chronic Systemic Alarm

Meaning

Chronic Systemic Alarm describes a persistent, low-grade activation of the body’s stress response systems, primarily involving the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. This state signifies a sustained perception of threat, whether from psychological stressors, inflammatory triggers, or metabolic dysregulation, preventing the body from returning to a restorative state of rest and repair. It is a pathological deviation from healthy allostasis.