Stress
- nonspecific response of body to any demand
- occurs when environmental demands exceed one’s perception of the ability to cope
Three aspects of stress
- heightened excitability or arousal, which can be physically measured
- the experience must be perceived as aversive
- a perceived lack of control
What variable determines the magnitude of the stresses experienced and the suspect ability of the individual to develop stress induced behavioural and physiological response
Control and predictability
Stressor
- events that activate stress response systems
- act as stimuli
Internal stress examples
- hunger
- fever
- infection
External stress examples
- writing an exam, devastating personal events, natural disasters
Stress can be compared to
A roller coaster ride
Good stress
Europhic stress
- promotes productivity
Bad stress
Distress
- out of control, feel like a victim
Physical stress
- stressors in the environment
- pollution, constant noise, inadequate supply of oxygen
Physiological stress
- stems form the way we react when treatened, whether the treat is real or not
Physiosocial stress
- stressors form interpersonal relationships and conflicts with people around us; occurs in isolation
Distress
- work stress
- family stress
- acute stress
- chronic stress
- trauma
- crisis
- daily hassles
Key to good health
Learning how to turn bad stress into good stress
Catecholamines
Adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine
- increases heart rate, blood vessels constrict, muscles tense, respiration increases, blood thickens, more energy is released, brain becomes more alert
Corticosteroids
Cortisone and cortisol
-cortisol: suppresses immunity, leads to insulin resistance, weight increases, increased blood pressure, nerves loss
Stress effect in pregnancy
- women with higher stress had more adverse health outcomes: neonatal fealty, low 5min Agar, low birth rate
- predicted the timing of delivery of infant birth weight
Chronic stress affects
Organs and systems functions at multiple levels
Hans Selyes comceptulization of stress
Demonstrated the existences of a biological stress syndrome: called general adaptation system
1. Alarm reaction
2. Resistance
3. Exhaustion
Alarm reactions
- stressor disturbs homeostasis
- immediate reaction
- fight of flight response
- immune system is suppressed
Resistance
- begins almost immediately after the alarm reaction kicks in
- increased immune response
Exhaustion
- body uses up ability to adapt
- pathological state (diverse health consequences appear)
Stress buffers
- time management
- setting priorities
- family and friends
- sleep ( less sleep leads to dementia)
- rewards
- planning/ preparations
- positive attitude
- excersize
