What is the Origin of Sympathetic Nervous System Overdrive?

The term is rooted in autonomic nervous system physiology, describing the chronic imbalance in the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches. "Overdrive" is a clinical descriptor for the persistent, inappropriate activation of this system. This state is a key component in the physiological manifestation of chronic psychological stress and anxiety disorders.

What is the Mechanism of Sympathetic Nervous System Overdrive?

The overdrive mechanism involves a persistent signal from the central nervous system, often originating from limbic structures, to the adrenal medulla and peripheral sympathetic ganglia. This signal triggers the excessive and sustained release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, leading to systemic vasoconstriction, increased cardiac output, and a chronic elevation of blood glucose. This sustained catecholamine excess acts as a potent stressor, directly contributing to endocrine axis perturbation and insulin resistance.

Sympathetic Nervous System Overdrive ∞ Area

Sympathetic Nervous System Overdrive

Meaning

A sustained state of heightened activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, often referred to as the “fight or flight” response, which persists beyond the immediate presence of a stressor. This chronic overdrive is characterized by elevated resting heart rate, increased catecholamine release, and a shift in heart rate variability toward sympathetic dominance. It represents a maladaptive state of hypervigilance that chronically perturbs the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and compromises metabolic function.