Page 115 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

Biological Stressors and Consequences 89

1. The alarm stage represents a “ call to arms ” of the body ’ s defenses when
invaded or assaulted biologically. The response is one of heightened physi-
ological reactivity that involves rapid heartbeat, loss of muscle tone, and
decreased temperature and blood pressure. Increased secretion of corticoid
hormones from the adrenal glands occurs quickly to help ward off the invader.
All of these bodily responses are attempts to warn the body of an invader
presence (Underwood, 2005). Like the alarm stage, when a microaggression
occurs, the person becomes vigilant and attempts to determine whether his/
her integrity or identity is being attacked. There may be initial confusion with
the ambiguity of the incident or event, but warning signs about the offensive
race - related, gender - related, or sexual - orientation - related communication are
deciphered.
2. If exposure to the biological stressor continues, the adaptation or resist-
ance stage follows. The body mobilizes resources to defend against, destroy,
or coexist with the disease or injury. Symptoms such as fever, sore throat,
swelling of infected tissues, and other biological reactions occur. Unless the
disease is destroyed, prolonged resistance may weaken the immune system
so that susceptibility to other infections or illnesses is possible (Ho et al.,
1995). It is important to note that symptoms of a disease may disappear or not
be noticed initially; regardless, the underlying biological battle can rage on
silently for many years. The parallel psychological process involves feelings
of anger, anxiety, guilt, depression, and other reactions. The marginalized
group member can also coexist with the microaggression by accepting it as a
reality of life. The psychological toll may not be immediately visible, as in the
development of low self - esteem. The internal struggle with microaggressions
can fester and eat away at the integrity of the person for long periods of time.
For many, it is a lifelong struggle.

3. Because the body ’ s defenses are finite, continued stress will lead to the
stage of exhaustion with the ultimate symptom being death of the biological
organism. The symptoms may change or become worse as the body weak-
ens and begins to shut down (Segerstrom & Miller, 2004). Physical activity
decreases and the effects are also manifested psychologically in depression,
lowered desire for life, narrowing and decrease in cognitive functioning/
alertness, and withdrawal from social situations. Likewise, chronic micro-
aggressive stressors have often been found to “ wear down ” the target and
they often describe feelings of exhaustion or a depletion of energy. Ability to
learn in classrooms, to produce at work, and to be functional in personal/
social/familial responsibilities may suffer.

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