stress

Question 1

stress

Answer 1

the automatic psychological and physiological arousal a person experiences on response to their external or internal environment

Question 2

stressor

Answer 2

any person, event or object that challenges or threatens an individual. can be internal or external

Question 3

acute stress

Answer 3

brief arousal in response to an immediate stress,
- no negative effects

Question 4

chronic stress

Answer 4

prolonged physiological arousal in response to a persistent stressor that negatively affects health and wellbeing

Question 5

eustress

Answer 5

a positive psychological response to a stressor

Question 6

distress

Answer 6

a negative psychological response to a stressor

Question 7

fight-freeze response

Answer 7

the automatic activation of both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic NS simultaneously causing us to become immobilised (freeze)

Question 8

role of cortisol

Answer 8

the release of cortisol during the activation of the sympathetic NS mobilises the body and increases arousal to respond to the stressor

Question 9

effects of excesses cortisol on the body

Answer 9

• chronic fatigue
• weakened immunity
• anxiety
• high blood sugar
  +more

Question 10

general adaptation syndrome (GAS) 3 stages

Answer 10

stage 1 - alarm reaction
stage 2 - resistance
stage 3 - exhaustion

Question 11

stage 1 - alarm reaction

Answer 11

initial decrease in resistance to stress when a threat is perceived, followed by an increase to levels above normal
2stages - shock, countershock

Question 12

shock

Answer 12

resistance to stress drops below normal and the body acts as though it is injured

Question 13

countershock

Answer 13

resistance to stress rises above normal levels due to the activation of the sympathetic NS

Question 14

stage 2 - resistance

Answer 14

• if the stress remains, resistance to stress remains above norm
• body attempts to stabilise to cope with threat
• cortisol levels remain high
• signs of illness may appear

Question 15

stage 3 - exhaustion

Answer 15

• if threat continues, body’s resources are drained
• compromised system functioning
• illness occurs

Question 16

coping with stress

Answer 16

coping refers to changing cognitive and behavioural efforts to meet stressors

Question 17

coping - specific awareness

Answer 17

refers to a coping strategy being more effective when the strategy is well-matched to the stressful situation

Question 18

coping flexibility

Answer 18

ability to stop an ineffective coping strategy and implement an alternative, or evaluate the coping process and adapt it

Question 19

approach strategies

Answer 19

target the stressor and attempt to reduce the impact

Question 20

problem focused coping

Answer 20

aim to fix the source of the stressor or reduce the stressor

Question 21

emotion focused coping

Answer 21

aim to change the unpleasant emotional responses to stress

Question 22

avoidance strategies

Answer 22

attempt to escape painful or threatening thoughts, feelings, memories or sensations associated with the stressor

Question 23

what is the gut brain axis

Answer 23

the network of two way (bio directional) neural pathways that enable communication between bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and the brain

Question 24

what nerve does the communication primarily use

Answer 24

the vagus nerve

Question 25

what does the entric NS do in GBA

Answer 25

involves millions on neurons within the digestive tract that regulate the major functions of the gut and communicate with the CNS to regulate these functions

Question 26

what is the vagus nerve

Answer 26

longest nerve in the body, runs from the brain stem at base of brain to the intestines, main contributor to PNS

Question 27

what appears promising in treating both disruptions to the microbiota and psychological

Answer 27

probiotics

Question 28

what can influence the microbiota

Answer 28

genetics, diet, metabolism, age, illness, geography, changes in diet, exposure to antibiotics and stress

Question 29

disruptions to the healthy balance can cause

Answer 29

digestive illness, reduce immune functioning, and increase susceptibility to disease