excessive or insufficient amounts, other mediators are also changed. Over the course of days, weeks, and longer, allostatic load eventually disrupts health, leading to a condition called allostatic overload (Institute of Medicine National Academies [IOM], 2008). Another important aspect of allostasis and allostatic load is the notion of anticipation. Anticipation implies psychological states, such as apprehension, worry, and anxiety, as well as cognitive preparation for a forthcoming event. It is likely that these states result in allostatic load (). Allostatic load and allostatic overload are points on a continuum. The pattern, frequency, and duration of stressors are important determinants of the severity of the outcome, as are an individual’s response to the stressors. This is presented in Figure 3. Figure3. The process of allostasis through to allostatic overload, as a product of increasing stress. Allostatic load over the life-course, with individuals accumulating allostatic load at ‘develops different rates. Both the initiation and progression of such dysregulation is postulated to be driven by individual differences in the frequency of exposure to real and perceived challenges and differences in their patterns of physiological responses to these challenges’ (), p 227. 1 provides a summary of the key points on homeostasis and allostasis (). Table 1. Homeostasis versus Allostasis Homeostasis Allostasis Normal set point Changing set point Compensated equilibrium Physiologic equilibrium Anticipation of demand No anticipation of demand Adjustment based on history
excessive or insufficient amounts, other mediators are also changed. Over the course of days, weeks, and longer, allostatic load eventually disrupts health, leading to a condition called allostatic overload (Institute of Medicine National Academies [IOM], 2008). Another important aspect of allostasis and allostatic load is the notion of anticipation. Anticipation implies psychological states, such as apprehension, worry, and anxiety, as well as cognitive preparation for a forthcoming event. It is likely that these states result in allostatic load (). Allostatic load and allostatic overload are points on a continuum. The pattern, frequency, and duration of stressors are important determinants of the severity of the outcome, as are an individual’s response to the stressors. This is presented in Figure 3. Figure3. The process of allostasis through to allostatic overload, as a product of increasing stress. Allostatic load ‘develops over the life-course, with individuals accumulating allostatic load at different rates. Both the initiation and progression of such dysregulation is postulated to be driven by individual differences in the frequency of exposure to real and perceived challenges and differences in their patterns of physiological responses to these challenges’ (), p 227. 1 provides a summary of the key points on homeostasis and allostasis (). Table 1. Homeostasis versus Allostasis Homeostasis Allostasis Normal set point Physiologic equilibrium No anticipation of demand Changing set point Compensated equilibrium Anticipation of demand Adjustment based on history
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