3 - stress and illness Flashcards
examples of common stressors
small daily hassles e.g. missing the bus academic or work related concerns e.g. exams relationship issues financial problems loss of control over goals
factors that make an event stressful
perceived as negative
lack of control
long-lasting
cannot be dealt with using current resources
amiguity
relevant to important life domains/aspects of self
transactional theory (Lazarus and Folkman)
define stress as..
“a relationship between the person and environment that is perceived by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or her wellbeing”
factors affecting how stressful an event is for an individual
appraisal differences (perception of the stress) psychological differences coping mechanisms --> strategies to deal with the stress
example of a way to measure stress
the social readjustment rating scale (Holmes and Rahe)
records how people rate different types of stress
measures daily hassles and uplifts
what are daily hassles
small difficulties during the day that may add up and create unmanageable demands
e.g. rising prices, noisy neighbours, too many responsibilties
what are daily uplifts
positive occurrences that may offset the daily hassles and reduce the perceived demand
e.g. good weather, getting on well with friends
how are hassles and uplifts measured in the social readjustment scale (Holmes & Rahe)
factors are rated on a scale of 0-3 of perception as a hassle or an uplift
examples included children, parents, partner, weather, news
results from social readjustment scale (Holmes and Rahe)
ratings of factors from hassles to uplifts varied from day to day
more hassles were associated with lower social wellbeing
daily uplifts made little difference
hassles were found to be good indicators of stress
how does stress directly effect your health
affects functioning of the cv and immune system
due to cortisol entering the bloodstream
chronic stress undermines general system functioning
how does stress indirectly affect your health
increases health risk behaviours e.g. smoking, alcohol use, drug use –> negative health consequences
decreases health promoting behaviours e.g. physical activity, good sleep, good diet
–> secondary consequences such as tiredness affecting eating habits, physical activity etc.
evidence to show that stress affects speed of wound healing
small biopsy wound in hard palate of dental students
taken once in summer holidays and once before major exams
healing resonse was measured as much longer for those in exam condition
physical effects of moderate/severe stress
dry mouth perspiration headaches high BP GI problems lower back pain
emotional effects of moderate/severe stress
anxiety depression fatigue irritability impulsiveness hypervigilance
cognitive effects of moderate/severe stress
inability to concentrate
memory problems
behavioural effects of moderate to severe stress
teeth grinding crying disrupted eating aggression sexual problems
how is stress induced by the nervous system
sympathetic nervous system
adrenal medulla releases catecholamines e.g. adrenaline to induce stress response
cortisol is released into the blood stream
physiological responses to sympathetic nervous system
bronchiole dilation increased breathing rate increased heart rate increased BP increased blood glucose decreased metabolism decreased digestion decreased immune activity and pain perception
physiological responses to the parasympathetic nervous system
reduces adrenalin secretion reduces heart rate and blood pressure reduces breathing rate reduces perspiration increases salivation body returns to homeostasis promotes relaxation facilitates energy storage
adrenal glands
sit on top of kidneys
pyramid shapes
made up of cortex and medulla
