7A. Psychobiology of Disease

Question 1

What is described by Seyle’s General Adaptation syndrome?

Answer 1

Stages of how a person responds to a stressor stimulus.

Question 2

Recall and describe the stages of Seyle’s General Adaptation Syndrome

Answer 2

1 = Alarm: shift to SNS dominance + increase in resistance to stress
2 = Resistance: ACTH release for maintenance of stress response. Resistance to stress plateaus
3 = exhaustion: of adrenals. Resistance to stress declines and the person becomes really prone to stress. This phase is where breakdowns/ depression starts creeping in

Question 3

Recall one long-term side effect of stress

Answer 3

Immunosuppression

Question 4

Recall the components of Type A behaviour

Answer 4

Time urgency
Free-floating hostility
Aggressiveness
Accomplishment-focused 
Competitive

Question 5

What does Type A Behaviour put you at particular risk of?

Answer 5

CVD

Question 6

Recall how stress coping mechanisms

Answer 6

problem focused coping: 
eg planning ahead to reduce stress
Emotion focused coping:
meditation
Seek social support:
Seek assurance from family and friends

Question 7

How can stress lead to disease?

Answer 7

Stress leads to behavioural (eg more smoking at times of stress) and physiological changes (eg increased cortisol, immunosuppression, slower wound healing rate). These changes increase the risk of disease

Question 8

nocebo effect

Answer 8

Nocebo: A negative effect that occurs after receiving an inert/sham treatment
eg Warnings about the possible side effects of a medicine makes it much more likely that the patient will report experiencing those effects

Question 9

Main clinical significance of the placebo and nocebo effect

Answer 9

The effect of many interventions can be increased by the way they are presented – both in form and manner. (eg packaging etc will all influence a patient’s experience with the treatment.)
Can be particularly helpful in for conditions with psychological components

Question 10

relationship between social support and health?

Answer 10

Social support increases patient survival and exert an INDEPENDENT effect beyond protective psychological role