Lecture 5: Stress and Health Flashcards
What are the components of the stress process?
- Stressors
- Stress reactions
- Stress mediators
What are psychological stessors?
Any event that forces a person to adapt.
What are some examples of psychological stressors?
- Catastrophic events
- Life changes and strains
- Chronic problems
- Daily hassles
What are the stages to the psysical responses to stress: General adaption syndrome.
Alarm stage
Resistance stage
Exhaustion stage
What are the organ systems involved in the general adaption syndrome.
- The sympatho-adreno-medullary system (blue arrows), mobilizes the bodyfor action
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system (purple arrows) triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers
- The HPA also stimulates the release of corticosteroids, which help resist stress and suppress the immune system
What are the emotional responses to stress?
Emotion reactions may persist
May cause tension, irritability, sadness or anxiety.
In extreme cases by develop anxiety disorders or major depression.
What are the cognitive responses to stress?
Reductions in ability to concentrate, think clearly or remember accurately.
What are some examples of cognitive responses to stress?
Ruminative thinking, catastrophizing, mental sets, functional fixedness, impaired decision making.
What are the behavioural responses to stress?
Changes in how people look, act or talk which may have negative impacts on health.
What are some examples of attempts to escape or avoid stressors (behavioural responses)
Alcohol abuse Overeating (especially high-fat comfort foods) Changes in sleep patterns Aggression Quitting jobs Dropping out of school Attempting suicide
What four austerity issues can affect suicide rates?
Loss of jobs
Cuts in benefits
Funding cuts in mental health services
Back to work programmes – stress and low self-worth
In terms of stress mediators explain cognitive appraisal.
Impact depends on how stressors are perceived
Less intense if seen as challenges to be overcome
Eg. Those instructed to remain detached from vidoes of bloody accidents were less upset than unprepared viewers
In terms of stress mediators explain Predictability and Perception of Control.
Unpredictable stressors have more impact
If people can exert some control over stressors, they usually have less impact: Many hospitals now teach relaxation skills, and allow patients to control their own pain medication
In terms of stress mediators explain social support.
Expression of pent-up thoughts and emotions
Important to know that others care and will help
Quality of support may depend on own ability to cope
What happens when there is a lack of social support for stress?
Lack of social support is
associated with higher mortality rates
risk factor for anxiety
elderly show high levels of cortisol (stress hormone)
