Health Psychology Weeks 1-6 (Midterm)

Question 1

Define neuroception

Answer 1

an individualized, subconscious process that determines our state of activation

Question 2

Neuroception is based on both ___ and ___ cues developed through our lived experience

Answer 2

External (environmental) and internal (sensations, emotions, beliefs)

Question 3

Input from the body and outside world act as cues to the ___

Answer 3

brainstem

Question 4

Core regulatory networks activate to communicate through ___ and ___ pathways, and through the autonomic nervous system

Answer 4

neuroendocrineneuroimmune

Question 5

What are the 3 degrees of stress?

Answer 5

Positive - brief increases in HR, intensified focus, mild elevation in stress hormone levelsTolerable - serious but temporary stress responses mitigated by positive buffering influences or relationshipsToxic - intense prolonged activation of stress response systems without positive buffering influences or relationships

Question 6

Feelings of safety emerge from internal physiological states regulated by the ___

Answer 6

autonomic nervous system

Question 7

Feelings of safety are operationally the product of ___ via neuroception

Answer 7

cues of safety

Question 8

True or False: the mental and physical health consequences of adversity are reflected in a retuned autonomic nervous system, locked into states of defense, that limit access to the calming pathways through the ventral vagus associated with sociality

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Neuroception emphasizes a neural process distinct from ____ , and is capable of distinguishing environmental and visceral features that are safe, dangerous, or life-threatening

Answer 9

perception

Question 10

True or False: a form of neuroception can be found in virtually all living organisms, regardless of the development of the nervous system

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Social ____ is a core biological imperative for humans

Answer 11

connectedness

Question 12

An optimally resilient individual has opportunities to co-regulate ___ with a safe and trusted other

Answer 12

physiological state

Question 13

Our capacity for connectedness requires an active _____ system, which broadcasts our accessibility

Answer 13

social engagement

Question 14

True or False: The autonomic state of an individual serves as a functional map for emergent behavioural, emotional, and physiological reactivity

Answer 14

True

Question 15

True or False: If feelings are negative and dependent on autonomic states supporting defense, the feelings may evolve into diffuse states of anxiety or specific emotions such as fear or anger

Answer 15

True

Question 16

True or False: If feelings are positive and dependent on an autonomic state of calmness, these feelings may be associated with trust, love, and intimacy

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Stress and threat cause disruption to the autonomic state, and metabolic resources are diverted from homeostatic functions to _____

Answer 17

survival needs

Question 18

Resilience reflects a physiological state which is sufficiently resilient to recover from disruptions, support feelings of safety, and connect with others via an active ____ system

Answer 18

social engagement

Question 19

____ is a neuromodulator that can optimize health, growth, and restoration

Answer 19

sociality

Question 20

When our lived experience is stressful, basic needs aren’t met, and there is a lack of a nurturing environment, neuroception can become organized towards ____ as a default

Answer 20

survival

Question 21

Adverse childhood experiences, developmental and relational trauma, a lack of a nurturing environment, and chronic stress can lead to changes in the ____

Answer 21

architecture of the brain

Question 22

What are the symptoms of un-discharged traumatic stress - stuck on “OFF”

Answer 22

depression
flat effect
lethargy
deadness
exhaustion
disorientation
disconnection
disassociation
complex syndromes
pain
low BP
poor digestion

Question 23

What are the symptoms of un-discharged traumatic stress - stuck on “ON”

Answer 23

Anxiety
panic
hyperactivity
exaggerated startle
inability to relax
restlessness
hyper-vigilance
digestive problems
emotional flooding
chronic pain
sleeplessness
hostility/rage

Question 24

Whenever we experience significant bodily or psychic tension, we are likely experiencing a _____

Answer 24

traumatic implicit memory

Question 25

True or False: In line with its Greek origins, trauma means a wound

Answer 25

True

Question 26

True or False: One mode of self-protection from trauma is to disconnect from our feelings

Answer 26

True

Question 27

True or False: If the early environment is unreliable or hurtful, we may develop a limited view of the world in which we perceive threat even when there isn’t any or in which we defensively deny or misperceive threat when it is present.

Answer 27

True

Question 28

True or False: Our emotional system is inseparable from the physiological apparatus responsible for our nervous system, gut, immune defenses and hormonal functioning

Answer 28

True

Question 29

Key aspects of relational health include having safe, stable, and nurturing ____ and ____

Answer 29

relationships environments

Question 30

What is an essential component of trauma-informed clinical care for health providers?

Answer 30

self care

Question 31

____ is an internal response that occurs when we experience strong, frequent, or prolonged adversity without adequate support. It overwhelms our ability to cope, and without support, our nervous system shifts into survival patterns.

Answer 31

trauma

Question 32

True or false: The impact of developmental trauma is amplified due to its effects on a child’s developing brain and body

Answer 32

true

Question 33

Review the impact of childhood trauma:

Answer 33

Cognition - impaired readiness to learn - difficulty problem-solving - language delays - problems with concentration - poor academic achievement Physical health - sleep disorders - eating disorders - poor immune system functioning - cardiovascular disease - shorter life span Emotions - difficulty controlling emotions - trouble recognizing emotions - limited coping skills etc. Relationships - attachment problems/disorders - poor understanding of social interactions etc. Mental health - depression - anxiety - negative self-image/low self-esteem Behaviour - poor self-recognition - social withdrawal - aggression Brain development - smaller brain size - less efficient processing etc.

Question 34

What are the biological systems disrupted by toxic stress?

Answer 34

1) neurologic; neuroendocrine 2) immunologic/inflammatory 3) endocrine; metabolic 4) epigenetic; genetic

Question 35

What are the mechanisms of neurologic/neuroendocrine disruption by toxic stress?

Answer 35

dysregulation of SAM and HPA axes; autonomic imbalance

Question 36

What are the mechanisms of immunologic/inflammatory disruption by toxic stress?

Answer 36

increased inflammatory markers, especially TH2 response; inhibition of anti-inflammatory pathways; gut microbiome dysbiosis

Question 37

What are the mechanisms of endocrine/metabolic disruption by toxic stress?

Answer 37

changes in growth hormone, thyroid hormones, and pubertal hormonal stress

Question 38

What are the mechanisms of epigenetic/genetic disruption by toxic stress?

Answer 38

sustained changes to the way DNA is read and transcribed, and telomere erosion

Question 39

True or false: Adverse childhood experiences are strongly associated with 9 of the 10 leading causes of death in the US

Answer 39

true - heart disease, cancer, accidents/unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, alzheimer's disease or dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, suicide

Question 40

What are the evidence-based buffering interventions?

Answer 40

mental health care supportive relationships quality sleep balanced nutrition physical activity mindfulness practices access to nature

Question 41

True or false: connectedness has the power to counterbalance adversity

Answer 41

true

Question 42

True or false: early in life, the experiences you have are most influential in shaping that world view

Answer 42

true - if you have consistent, predictable, nurturing caregiving, your brain starts to feel that the world is safe - if you have inconsistent, unpredictable, chaotic interactions with the people who are caring for you, your brain starts to view the world as an unsafe place

Question 43

What re the 3 core human needs?

Answer 43

1) safety 2) belonging 3) mattering

Question 44

What is attachment?

Answer 44

Attachment is the perceptual foundation of our experience of our self and forms the basis for our life narrative. it helps us to understand default patterns attachment = meeting discomfort and distress with reliable, loving care so as to soothe the baby/young child and establish CNS patterns of trust, security, and comfort. - it is about providing consistent and kind response that regulated and entrains emotional health and a healthy stress system

Question 45

A ____ attached relationship completes the natural stress cycle, alleviates toxic cortisol, and is a predictor of lifelong health outcomes (biological, social, psychological).

Answer 45

securely

Question 46

What are the 2 pathways of healthy attachment?

Answer 46

1. healthy attachment = secure attachment = positive relational experience = good for your brain = adaptive coping = resilient to life challenges = better physical and mental health outcomes 2. healthy attachment = trust and security in self/other = healthy sense of self, emotional regulation, assertive behavior = resilience to life challenges = better physical and mental health outcomes

Question 47

____ is malleable with experience and intention, and either acts as a resiliency factor to be drawn upon or a risk factor to be aware of

Answer 47

attachment

Question 48

Describe the 4 attachment styles

Answer 48

Secure style: approx. 60% of people; safety within themselves and in relation; an internalized sense of security; people feel comfortable with intimacy and with independence; I’m ok, you’re ok - vulnerability: " my feelings are hurt but I trust I'm safe" - protective feeling: discomfort, concern 3 insecure styles: Anxious style: template is safety in the presence of another; people are often preoccupied with their relationships; they find safety in the immediate presence of another; they may pursue the other and tend to worry about the other person's ability to love them back; I'm not ok you’re ok: high dependence + low avoidance (poor internal model for self creates great need for relationship) - vulnerability: "i feel so rejected, sad and alone. I'm being abandoned. Things are going to fall apart" protective feeling: anger, indignant, overwhelmed by feelings Avoidant style: template is safety in disconnection from others; people learned that emotions are not safe; they tend to equate intimacy with a loss of independence and may subconsciously try to protect themselves from meaningful connection; I'm ok, you’re not ok: low dependence + high avoidance - vulnerability: "I feel rejected and alone, My body feels it but my brain isn't aware and I can't name it" - protective feeling: shame, disavowed anger Disorganized style: there was no template for safety, resulting in chronic tension between connection and disconnection; I’m not ok, you’re not ok, but I want you anyway: high dependence + high avoidance - vulnerability: "I feel rejected, alone and attacked, I'm in danger" - protective feeling: numb or enraged

Question 49

What is the common denominator in insecure styles of attachment?

Answer 49

- an insecure sense of self, rooted in shame SHAME is a belief that I am flawed; there is something inherently wrong with me that is not fixable; if others knew the real me they would reject me

Question 50

What are the behaviours you might observe in someone with secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment?

Answer 50

secure: talk about it; express feelings; seek reconnection and resolution anxious: show anger, dysregulated blame, criticize, silent treatment as protest avoidant: defend self; counter-attack; retreat to escape situation; non-responsive, passive aggressive disorganized: got to extremes; fight hard, run away, shut down, become destructive and/or dissociative

Question 51

Ventral vagal aligns with ____ attachment

Answer 51

secure

Question 52

Sympathetic aligns with ____ attachment

Answer 52

anxious

Question 53

Dorsal vagal aligns with ____ attachment

Answer 53

avoidant

Question 54

Freeze aligns with ____ attachment

Answer 54

disorganized

Question 55

Attachment style can influence:

Answer 55

relationships and behaviours beliefs how you explain events of your life physical health subconscious triggers how you perceive stress, adversity, and challenge how you react to and recover coping strategies the role people and relationships play in effort to cope with stress

Question 56

True or false: most of us have a dominant style wired in as our first perceptual system in early childhood but you can lean into different relational patterns in different ages/stages of life and of different roles in life

Answer 56

true

Question 57

What are the 4 common trauma responses and their nervous system state?

Answer 57

1) Fight response - sympathetic 2) Flight response - sympathetic 3) Freeze response - freeze: dorsal/sympathetic - shutdown: dorsal vagal 4) Fawn response - dorsal sympathetic

Question 58

What is fight response characterized by?

Answer 58

moving TOWARDS the danger or threat (real or perceived) ex: anger, frustration, rage, aggression, perfectionism, control

Question 59

What is flight response characterized by?

Answer 59

moving AWAY from the danger or threat (real or perceived) ex: anxiety, panic, overthinking, escaping, distracting, avoiding

Question 60

What are freeze and shutdown responses characterized by?

Answer 60

Freeze - tonic immobility, deer in headlights, wanting to move towards or away from the danger or threat (real or perceived) but can't ex: stuckness, procrastination, doom scrolling, difficulty making decisions, urgency/exhaustion cycle Shutdown - immobility, unable to move towards or away from the danger or threat (real or perceived) ex: sadness, shame, isolation, dissociation, numbness

Question 61

What is the fawn response characterized by?

Answer 61

averting the threat or danger (real of perceived) by appeasing and pleasing ex: people-pleasing, self-abandoning, codependency, playing small, lack of identity, avoiding conflict

Question 62

Define attending

Answer 62

Attending is the ability to track autonomic states, see the movement between states, and create a moment-to-moment habit of noticing both large shifts and nuanced changes

Question 63

Attachment is one of the most powerful influences on lifelong wellness and has 3 functions:

Answer 63

1. creates basic perceptual schemas 2. predicts adult behavior in relationships 3. determines physiologic setpoint for stress systems → influential to specific health outcomes

Question 64

Describe how the psychophysiological works (1 year healthy attachment cycle)

Answer 64

Infant has need Infant communicates need Caregiver takes action to meet need Satisfaction Relaxation Trust and confidence develop

Question 65

What are the parental styles in the 4 attachments?

Answer 65

Secure: * Parental Style: aligned with child and in tune with their emotions Anxious: * Parental Style – Inconsistent and sometimes intrusive parent communication Avoidant: * Parental Style – Unavailable/rejecting Disorganized (fear-based): * Parental Style – Ignored/didn't see child's needs; Parental behaviour was frightening/traumatizing

Question 66

What are boundaries?

Answer 66

- a way to describe our interface with the world. - describe our comfort level with regards to personal space and our they describe our way of engaging with other people

Question 67

What are the boundaries associated with attachment styles?

Answer 67

o Secure → healthy boundary o Anxious → lack of boundaries o Distant → rigid boundaries