alarmstress
Alarmstress is the physiological and psychological response to repeated exposure to alerts and alarms, such as sirens, notification tones, or system warnings. It includes both acute reactions to individual alarms and the chronic load from frequent or unpredictable alerts, which can affect performance and well-being.
The term is often used in settings with high alarm volume or frequency, including hospitals, industrial plants,
Biologically, alarmstress involves activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, raising heart rate
Risk factors include frequent false alarms, loud or non-specific tones, poor alarm discrimination, shift work, and
Management emphasizes alarm design and workflow changes. Strategies include reducing false positives, tiered or distinct alarms,
Research on alarmstress is emerging and draws on human factors, occupational health, and sleep science. While