Stress

Question 1

What are the two types of stress?

Answer 1

1. ) Psychological stress

2. ) Physiological stress

Question 2

What is eustress

Answer 2

• positive stress which is beneficial and motivating

Question 3

What is distress

Answer 3

• negative stress which is damaging and harmful

Question 4

What is acute stress

Answer 4

• this is a short-lived response to a novel situation experienced by the body as a danger
• not conscious
• healthy and adaptive

Question 5

What is chronic stress

Answer 5

• arises from repeated exposure to threatening situations

Question 6

What are examples of chronic stress

Answer 6

1. ) Physical illness
2. ) Physical abuse
3. ) Poverty e.g. poor housing
4. ) Unemployment
5. ) Discrimination

Question 7

What is stress response (the 3 phases)

Answer 7

1. ) Alarm: threat identified + body’s response to state of alarm
2. ) Adaptation: body engages defensive countermeasurers
3. ) Exhaustion: body runs out of defences

Question 8

The five elements of the human stress response

Answer 8

1. ) Biochemical
2. ) Physiological
3. ) Behavioural
4. ) Cognitive
5. ) Emotional

Question 9

What are stress responses mediated by?

Answer 9

Mediated via the:

1. ) Autonomic nervous system (sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system)
2. ) Hypothalamo-pituitary axis

Question 10

The sympathomedullary pathway

Answer 10

1. ) Hypothalamus activates the adrenal medulla
2. ) Adrenal medulla (controlled by ANS) releases adrenaline + noradrenaline into the bloodstream
3. ) Body prepares for ‘fight of flight’
4. ) Adrenaline + noradrenaline reinforces pattern of sympathetic activation
5. ) Get energy

Question 11

The pituitary-adrenal system

Answer 11

1. ) Higher brain centres activate the hypothalamus
2. ) Hypothalamus releases corticotrophin (CRF)
3. ) Pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH)
4. ) Adrenal cortex releases corticosteroids
5. ) Corticosteroids causes changes: liver releases energy + immune system is suppressed

Question 12

The biochemical stress response

Answer 12

1. ) Glucorticoids (cortisol)

2. ) Catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline)

Question 13

What are examples of physiological stress responses

Answer 13

1. ) Breathing more rapid
2. ) Increased heart rate and blood pressure
3. ) Red blood cells discharged from the spleen
4. ) Sweating
5. ) Mouth becomes dry
6. ) Blood flow increases + is directed to heart and muscles

Question 14

Physiological stress response (later)

Answer 14

• headache
• chest pain
• stomach ache
• low energy
• cold hands and feet

Question 15

What are behavioural responses

Answer 15

1. ) Easily startled
2. ) Change in appetite
3. ) Weight gain/loss
4. ) Procrastinating
5. ) Nail biting

Question 16

What are cognitive responses

Answer 16

• constant worrying
• racing thoughts
• inability to focus
• poor judgement

Question 17

What are emotional responses

Answer 17

• depression
• tearfulness
• mood swings
• irritability
• aggression

Question 18

What is allostasis

Answer 18

This refers to how multiple & complex systems adapt collectively in changing environments through dynamic change

Question 19

What is allostatic load

Answer 19

• refers to cumulative exposure to stressors

Question 20

Possible links between stress and illness

Answer 20

1. ) Cancer: stress linked to survival rather than incidence
2. ) Obesity and eating disorders
3. ) Gastrointestinal problems: IBS

Question 21

Symptoms of PTSD

Answer 21

• sweating
• nausea
• trembling
• vivid flashbacks and nightmares