13. Stress Flashcards
General adaptation syndrome
A three-stage physiological stress response that appears regardless of the stressor that is encountered
Repressive coping
Avoiding situations or thoughts that are reminders of a stressor and maintaining an artificially positive viewpoint
Rational coping
Facing the stressor and working to overcome it
Reframing
Finding a new or creative way to think about a stressor that reduces the threat
Stress
The physical and psychological response to internal or external stressors
Where does the brain respond to stress?
Hypothalamus
What is HPA?
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis
Hypothalamus activates pituitary, stimulating adrenal glands
Adrenals release hormones incl. catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine), increasing sympathetic nervous system activation and decreasing parasympathetic reaction
Increased blood pressure and breathing make oxygen available to muscles
Adrenals release cortisol to raise glucose in blood to make fuel available to muscles
What is GAS?
General adaptation syndrome
Appears regardless of stressor
Alarm phase
Resistance phase - shut down unnecessary processes
Exhaustion phase - illness, damage, death
What are glucocorticoids?
Released by stressors into brain, wearing down immune system
How does stress interpretation work?
Primary appraisal: interpretation of stimulus as stressful or not
Secondary appraisal: can I handle it
Threats increase vascular reactivity, challenges don’t
Three strategies for stress management
Repressive coping:
Maintaining an artificially positive viewpoint
Rational coping:
Facing the stressor and working to overcome it
Acceptance, exposure (recording), understanding
Exposure better than no therapy, gradual therapy in reducing ptsd
Reframing:
Find a way to think about stressor that reduces the threat
Strengthens immune system
Four techniques for physical stress management
Meditation
Relaxation
Biofeedback
Aerobic exercise - good for depression - serotonin and endorphins
Three methods of situation management
Social support
Religious experiences
Humour
How do women differ from men in fight or flight?
Women have tend and befriend
Taking care of people
Respond like men with epinephrine and norepinephrine, but also oxytocin
With estrogen it triggers socializing responses
Why is appetite lost when ill?
Sickness response
Immune system white blood cells release cytokines, activating vagus nerve between stomach, intestines and chest
Seen in depression too
