Stress

Question 1

What is somatic (physical) stress?

Answer 1

Physical, emotional and subjective experiences associated with damage of body tissue and bodily threat (eg pain and inflammation).

Question 2

What is psychological stress?

Answer 2

Emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances, often involving anticipation

Question 3

What is eustress (good stress)?

Answer 3

Positive stress which is beneficial and motivating; typically, the experience of striving for a goal which is within reach. Eustress is motivating

Question 4

What is distress (bad stress)?

Answer 4

Negative stress which is damaging and harmful.
Typically occurs when a challenge (or threat) is not resolved by coping or adaptation.

Question 5

What is homeostasis?

Answer 5

Maintaining internal environment necessary for cell functioning

Question 6

What is allostasis?

Answer 6

How complex systems adapt in changing environments, by changing set-points (“adaption through change”)

Question 7

What is allostatic load?

Answer 7

Refers to cumulative exposure to stressors, which if unrelieved leads to systems ‘wearing out’.

Question 8

What is acute stress?

Answer 8

Short-lived response to a novel situation experienced by the body as a danger.
It is healthy & adaptive, and necessary for survival

Question 9

What is chronic stress?

Answer 9

Arises from repeated or continued exposure to threatening or dangerous situations, especially those that cannot be controlled.
Some (but not all) involve appraisal and conscious perception

Question 10

Give some examples of chronic stressors

Answer 10

Physical illness, disability & pain
Physical or sexual abuse
Poverty including poor housing, hunger, cold or damp debt
Unemployment
Bullying or discrimination
Caregiving

Question 11

What are the 5 elements of the human stress response?

Answer 11

Biochemical
Physiological
Behavioural
Cognitive
Emotional

Question 12

What are stress responses mediated via?

Answer 12

Autonomic nervous system (sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system) & hypothalamo-pituitary (HPA) axis

Question 13

What are the inflammation and immune response mediated and modified by?

Answer 13

Adrenaline and cortisol

Question 14

What is the biochemical and molecular stress response for acute stress?

Answer 14

Immune suppression

Question 15

What is the biochemical and molecular stress response for chronic stress?

Answer 15

Partial immune suppression + low-grade chronic inflammatory response; ? effects on gene expression

Question 16

What is disrupted in a chronic stress response?

Answer 16

Balance between immune activation & autoimmunity

Question 17

What are the fast physiological stress responses?

Answer 17

Blood flow increases up to 400%, directed to heart & muscles
Increased heart rate & blood pressure
Muscles tense
Glucose released, insulin levels fall: boost energy to muscles
Red blood cells discharged from the spleen
Mouth becomes dry & digestion is inhibited
Sweating
Cytotoxic & surveillance WBCs go where injury & inflammation may occur i.e. bone marrow, skin, lymph nodes

Question 18

Give some examples of the physical effects of chronic stress

Answer 18

Headache
Chest pain
Stomach ache
Musculoskeletal pain
Low energy
Loss of libido
Colds & infections
Cold hands & feet
Clenched jaw & grinding teeth

Question 19

What are some behavioural responses to stress?

Answer 19

Easily startled & hypervigilant
Change in appetite – both directions
Weight gain (obesity) or weight loss
Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities
Increased use of alcohol, drugs & smoking
Nail biting, fidgeting and pacing
Sleep disturbances especially insomnia
Withdrawal

Question 20

What are some cognitive responses to stress?

Answer 20

Constant worrying
Racing thoughts
Forgetfulness and disorganisation
Inability to focus
Poor judgement
Being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side
Altered learning

Question 21

What are some emotional responses to stress?

Answer 21

Depression & sadness
Tearfulness
Mood swings
Irritability
Restlessness
Aggression
Low self-esteem and worthlessness
Boredom & apathy
Feeling overwhelmed
Rumination, anticipation & avoidance

Question 22

What are the key parts of the brain that mediate responses to stressors?

Answer 22

Amygdala
Hippocampus

Question 23

What type of illnesses is stress related to?

Answer 23

Cardiovascular
GI
Those with strong ANS connections

Question 24

How does stress affect physical illnesses?

Answer 24

Exacerbates physical illnesses
Slows recovery
Increases susceptibility to infection

Question 25

How does stress affect cancer?

Answer 25

Stress linked to survival rather than incidence

Question 26

How does stress affect cardiovascular disease?

Answer 26

High blood pressure
Abnormal heart rhythms
MI
Stroke

Question 27

How does stress affect skin and hair problems?

Answer 27

Acne
Psoriasis
Eczema

Question 28

How does stress affect GI?

Answer 28

Inflammatory bowel disease
Irritable bowel syndrome

Question 29

What are the effects of PTSD?

Answer 29

Vivid flashbacks & nightmares
Intrusive thoughts and images
Sweating
Nausea
Trembling
Hypervigilance & increased startle response
Agoraphobia
Insomnia
Irritability
Impaired concentration

Question 30

What can help with stress management?

Answer 30

Shiatsu, T’ai Chi, Yoga
Mindfulness
Meditation
Exercise
Sleep hygiene
Friends and family
Healthy diet
Exposure to natural environments
Aromatherapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy