Lecture 7 - Health Stress and Sleep Flashcards
(34 cards)
What are four linked biological systems that are particularly susceptible to psychological and environmental factors?
- Autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic, which we have already discussed)
- Endocrine system (HPA-Axis)
- Immune system
- Gut microbiome
What does HPA stand for in HPA-axis?
Hypothalamus-pituitary-
adrenal axis
What is the main jist of HPA-axis?
Sets in motion the stress reponse that promotes survival. Greater production and metabolism of glucose, anti-inflammatory properties, diverts energy from less immediate priorities
What are the step from HPA-Axis?
- Hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone/factor (CRH/ CRF) and vasopressin
- CRH causes secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary glands
- ACTH causes production of glucocorticoids (mainly cortisol), adrenaline and noradrenaline by the adrenal glands
In situations of chronic stress or acute stress, what suppresses the immune system?
HPA-Axis
How is stress defined?
The stimulus itself (a stressor) or the response to the stimulus (for example, autonomic arousal)
What are the 3 steps in selye’s theory of the general adaptation syndrome?
Alarm, resistance, exhaustion
How does maternal stress, depression and anxiety prenatally affect the baby?
Lower birthweight and higher baseline HPA axis activity
Low quality care in children is associated with…
higher HPA axis activity, and more behavioural problems later in life
In environments with extreme deprivation, what happens to the HPA axis?
lower than normal HPA axis activity is noted (down-regulation of the pituitary gland)
Which lobe is particularly vulnerable to stress in adolescence?
Frontal lobe (involved in planning, inhibition, initiation, reasoning)
Why are adolescence highly sensitive to stress?
Sex hormones levels affect HPA activity
In adults, chronic stress is related to smaller ______
hippocampus (memory formation)
Decreased capacity of glucocorticoids to inhibit the HPA system leads to
Increased reactivity to stress
What are 3 protective factors?
Internal locus of control
Higher social status
what are 8 ways of coping
self-awareness Time management and economy of effort Cultivating social support system Exercise and diet Relaxation Attitude Automatic thoughts, locus of control, schemas Artificial methods of coping
What are the 2 major categories of sleep disorders
Parasomnias (transitions of sleep)
Dyssomnia (amount of sleep)
What are the parasomnias sleep disorders
nightmare disorder, sleep terror disorder, REM sleep behaviour disorder, non-REM sleep arousal disorders
What are the dyssomnia sleep disorders
Hypersomnia, insomnia, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm sleep disorder
What’s nightmare disorder?
Repeated awakenings from sleep with detailed recal off extremely frightened dreams
At what sleep period does nightmare disorder happen?
usually occurs in the last half of sleep period
What is Non-Rem sleep arousal disorder?
Recurrent episodes of abrupt awakenings with amnesia for the epiosde
What happens during Non-REM sleep arousal disorder?
Night terrors or sleep walking
At what stage of the sleep period does non-REM sleep arousal disorder?
in the first third of sleep period
