Chronic stress responses represent attempts at adaptation, but as noted above can create constitute physiologic challenges in and of themselves. Excess glucocorticoid secretion can impair numerous bodily systems if extended in time; enhanced sympathetic drive can lead to cardiovascular disease; and “conservative” behavioral strategies can lessen opportunities to find new food and water sources, more secure environmental surroundings and mates. Thus, at some point, the initially “adaptive” characteristics of chronic stress reactivity can cross over to the realm of “maladaptation,” defined as biological and behavioral responses that are counterproductive to the best interests of the organism. The switch from “adaptive” to “maladaptive” stress responses will be heavily dependent on the constitution of the individual, based on genetic and acquired strategies to maximize efficiency and limit overdrive of stress systems. Stress “pathologies” can arise as a result of maladaptive chronic stress responses, either as a result of systemic diseases of stress regulatory systems or pervasive activation of stress effectors in inappropriate contexts. It is important to note that the concept of “maladaptation” is not synonymous with physiologic distress. Maladaptation per se
