Stress and Health

Chapter 12

Effects of Stress

Health Psychology

• A subfield of psychology that focuses on how stress affects our well being and our health

Stress

• The process by which we perceive and respond to events that we appraise as threatening or challenging

• The events are called stressors(life changes, daily hassles, catastrophes).

• The response is called a stress reaction.

Types of Stressors:

• Life events

• Catastrophes

• Daily hassles

Daily Stress

• Stress can be caused by:

– Typical demands of the day

– Living situations

– Economic difficulties

Significant Life Changes

• Stress can be the result of personal life changes

– Death of a loved one

– Leaving home for college

• Can result in health problems

Catastrophes

• Large scale stress events (i.e. earthquakes, floods, war, etc.

• Prolonged exposure can lead to physical and psychological problems.

Stress:Responding to Stress

Hans Selye (1907-1982)

• Psychologist who researched recurring responses to stress

• Discovered various chemicals caused stress reactions in animals

• Developed the concept of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

General Adaptation Syndrome

• Alarm Reaction – nervous system activated in response to stressor; blood diverted to muscles…

• Resistance – body responds with physiological reactions to cope with the stressor, outpouring of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol

• Exhaustion – body’s resistance to stress is depleted (physical deterioration) THIS IS WHEN YOU ARE MOST LIKELY TO GET SICK!!!

General Adaptation Syndrome

ADAPTATION / RESISTANCE PHASE

If the source persists, the body prepares for long-term protection, secreting hormones to increase blood sugar levels. This phase is common and not necessarily harmful, but must include periods of relaxation and rest to counterbalance the stress response.

General Adaptation Syndrome

ADAPTATION / RESISTANCE PHASE

• Fatigue, concentration lapses, irritability and lethargy result as the stress turns negative.

• Gluscosteroids are later released which will help regulate glucose in the blood, which in turn will help resist all kinds of stress. They will : – Convert protein into glucose– Make fats available for energy– Increase blood flow– Stimulate behavioural responsiveness

General Adaptation Syndrome

EXHAUSTION

In chronic stress situations, sufferers enter the exhaustion phase: emotional, physical and mental resources suffer heavily, the body experiences ‘ adrenal exhaustion’ leading to decreased stress tolerance, progressive mental and physical exhaustion, illness and collapse.

Stress:Stressful Events

Effects of Perceived Control

Perceived control experiment:

• Two rats received shocks. One control rat received none.

• The “executive” rate could turn the wheel in its cage and cause the shocks to stop.

• The “subordinate” rat could not.

Which rats were the healthiest?

• Which rat felt helpless?

• Which rat became more susceptible to ulcers and a lower immunity?

• Which rats were the healthiest?

Perceived Control

• The sense of control or influence one has over stressful events in one’s life

• Sense of control reduces stress, anxiety and depression

Optimism

• A generally positive outlook on the future

• Optimists have stronger immune systems and recover faster from health problems.

• Opposite of pessimism

Stress Hormones

• Hormones (cortisol and epinephrine ) are released in response to stress

• The body must work to rid the body of the stress hormones.

• Pessimism and perceived lack of control both produce more stress hormones.

Stress and Disease:Stress and Heart Problems

What is the leading cause of death in the U.S. today?

• .

Type A Individuals

• Individuals who are competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone. The most toxic is anger!!!!

• More prone to heart attacks and other stress related illnesses

Why Are Type A’s More Prone to Heart Disease?

• When harassed or faced with a challenge, they are more physiologically reactive. They then release more stress hormones. These in turn build up plaque on their arteries. Their blood also has more fat and cholesterol. Why? Because blood is often sent to muscles and not to organs like the liver which filter these out. They then build up on the arteries as well.

Type B Individuals

• Individuals who are easygoing, laid-back, and relaxed

Type “D” personality

• D stands for distressed

• Marked by negative emotions and social inhibition

• This group is also at a high risk for heart disease

• Negative emotions

are TOXIC!!!

Type D inventory

• Adding the numbers circled in response to statement 2,4,5,7,9,12 and 13 provides negative affectivity (emotions)

• Add 1,3,6,8,10,11 and 14 provides the social inhibition score.

*Scores of 10 or higher combined with social inhibition scores of 10 or higher suggest a Type D personality

Stress and the Immune systemTwo types of white blood cells:

• B lymphocytes- from in the bones marrow and release antibodies that fight bacterial infections

• B= Bone marrow=bacterial

• T lymphocytes- form in the thymus and other lymphatic tissue and attack cancer cells and viruses

• Macrophage (“big eater”) ingests harmful invaders

What is the connection b/t stress and disease?

• Stress increases the body’s stress hormones, BUT decreases the body’s production of lymphocytes,

Coping with Stress: What can help?

• Exercise

• Biofeedback

• Social support- friends and family

• Attend church see

• Healthy behaviors (no smoking, drinking)

• Be optimistic

Activity:

• Your mother’s ___ was in a tragic car accident and in intensive care for 5 days. You are worried about your mom. She has been spending long hours after work visiting at the hospital each day.

1. Write a list describing how mom’s body is coping with the crises.

2. Write a list of helpful tips to help mom stay healthy during this time.

The End