Respond to this post with additional information and questions: Discuss the major sources of norepinephrine in the forebrain and in the peripheral nervous system.

The forebrain receives fibers from the locus coeruleus and where it goes on to provide norepinephrine to the cortex, thalamus, limbic system, and hypothalamus. Norepinephrine is an important peripheral nervous system transmitter because it is a hormone secreted by adrenal glands directly into the bloodstream as the primary transmitter (Meyer & Quenzer, 2018).

1. What is the "fight or flight" response? How do epinephrine and norepinephrine mediate this response?

The fight or flight response is our brain's response to stress that come from sympathetic nerve endings transmitted by epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream to mediate the physiological responses such as: increased blood pressure, increased oxygen intake, reduced digestive activity, dilated pupils, decreased secretion of saliva, and more blood to skeletal muscles, heart, and brain (Meyer & Quenzer, 2018). The brain basically believes that it's under attack because the sympathetic nervous system is in hyperdrive and responds with physical symptoms that happen to bring the body into a heightened state of awareness.

1. How can this knowledge be helpful for a client who experiences debilitating anxiety and is self-critical of this struggle?

Not only does talking to clients help reduce the stigma about anxiety and the idea that something is wrong with them, but it also helps initiate the conversation about the benefit of medication to use a resource to manage their debilitating anxiety. Although medication like beta-blockers cannot cure a client's anxiety, it can help manage the distressing physical symptoms of their disorder like by targeting the vascular response to stress (Meyer & Quenzer, 2018).