Skip to main content

Stress Adaptation Thresholds

Meaning

Stress Adaptation Thresholds represent the finite physiological and psychological limits within which an individual’s homeostatic systems, particularly the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, can effectively manage and recover from acute or chronic stressors without incurring significant functional impairment. Exceeding these thresholds leads to a state of allostatic overload, characterized by HPA axis dysregulation, hormonal imbalances, and increased susceptibility to disease. Clinically, identifying and respecting a patient’s current threshold is essential for designing sustainable lifestyle and therapeutic interventions that promote resilience rather than collapse.