Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Intense emotional responses refer to strong, overwhelming emotions that individuals experience in response to various stimuli. These emotions can range from extreme joy and excitement to intense fear or anger.
The amygdala is a part of the brain responsible for processing and regulating emotions, including intense emotional responses.
Fight-or-flight response: The fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction triggered by intense emotional responses, preparing the body to either confront or flee from perceived threats.
Mood disorders: Mood disorders are psychiatric conditions characterized by significant disturbances in an individual's emotional state, often resulting in prolonged periods of intense emotional responses such as depression or mania.