CHAPTER 10 Flashcards by Pamela Glowacki

What are the characteristics of the relaxation response?

a slow down of heart rate, breathing, & metabolism.
an increase of blood flow to the brain & skin.
a shift of brain waves from an alert beta rhythm to a relaxed alpha rhythm

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Which techniques can be used to manage stress? (3)

exercise
nutrition
sleep

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What are counterproductive strategies for coping with stress?

alcohol
tobacco
binge eating
drugs

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Who developed the GAS?

Hans Selye

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What are the stages of the GAS in sequence?

alarm
resistance
exhaustion

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In which stage of the GAS are the sympathetic nervous & endocrine systems activated?

1) alarm

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In which stage of the GAS does the body develop a new level of homeostasis?

2) resistance

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Which stage of the GAS may be achieved if a person is exposed to a persistent stressor or several successive stressors?

3) exhaustion

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What is the allostatic load?

long-term wear & tear of the stress response

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Which factors result in a high allostatic load?

frequent stressors
poor adaptation to common stressors
inability to shut down stress response
imbalances in stress response of different body systems

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Which diseases have been linked with a high allostatic load?

Heart disease,
Blood pressure,
Obesity,
Reduced brain & immune system functioning

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What are some of the health problems linked to stress-related changes in immune function?

vulnerability to colds/infections
asthma/allergy attacks
suceptability to cancer
chronic disease flare-ups

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What are some of the other health problems that may be worsened or worsened by uncontrolled stress?

Digestive problems
Tension headaches & migraines
Insomnia & fatigue
Injuries
Menstrual irregularities
Impotence
Pregnancy complications.
Psychological problems
Depression 
Anxiety 
Panic attacks
Eating disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

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What is the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?

universal & predictable response to all stressors

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Are physical, emotional, & behavioural responses to stressors intimately interrelated?

yes

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What intensity of emotional response elevates the strength of the physical response?

higher intensity = strong response

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What type of responses can effectively lessen stress?

effective behaviour responses

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What are the personality types?

A, B, C

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What are the characteristics or traits of Type A personalities?

Overly competitive, Somewhat controlling, Impatient, Aggressive, Hostile.
Anger, cynicism, & hostility increase the risk of heart disease.

What are the characteristics or traits of Type B personalities?

Relaxed, Contemplative, Less frustrated by daily events, More tolerant of the behaviour of others

What are the characteristics or traits of Type C personalities?

Difficulty expressing emotions, Anger suppression, Feelings of hopelessness & despair, exaggerated stress response to minor cognitive stressors

Which personality type is characterized by feelings of hopelessness & despair, & an exaggerated stress response to cognitive stressors?

Type C

Which personality type is often described as overly competitive, somewhat controlling, impatient, aggressive, & even hostile?

Type A

Which personality type is relaxed & contemplative?

Type B

What is hardiness?

a particular form of optimism allows one to view potential stressors as challenges & opportunities for growth & learning, rather than burdens

What is the importance of hardiness relative to dealing with stress?

allows a person to perceive fewer reactions as stressful & his or her reaction to stressors tends to be less intense

Which of the subdivisions of the nervous system controls the behavioural responses to stressors?

somatic nervous system (branch of PNS)

What are common emotional responses to stressors?

anxiety depression fear

What are effective & ineffective behavioural responses to stressors?

effective: talking, laughing, exercising, meditating, time-management skills ineffective: overeating, hostility, alochol/drugs

What is personality?

sum of behavioural & emotional tendencies

Which 2 factors can reduce the magnitude of the stress response?

sucessful prediction of stressor | perception of having some control over stressor

Which division of the ANS restores the body to homeostasis?

parasympathetic

Which hormones are released from the adrenal glands

cortisol epinephrine norepinephrine

What is the endocrine system?

system of glands, tissues, & cells that secrete hormones & other chemical messengers into the bloodstream to influence metabolism & other body processes

Which neurotransmitter is used by the sympathetic nerves to exert its effects in the body?

norepinephrine

Under what conditions are the SNS & PNS activated?

``` PNS = relaxed SNS = times of arousal (incl. exercise) ```

What are the divisions of the ANS?

parasympathetic | sympathetic

What is the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)?

moderates sympathetic effects slows metabolism restores energy aids in digestion, growth, energy stores

What is the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?

reacts to danger accelerates body processes mobilse all energy resources to react to crisis

What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

involuntary control

What are the divisions & subdivisions of the nervous system?

CNS (Brain and Spinal Cord) PNS (Afferent & Efferent Divisions) Afferent is divided into Somatic Sensory Neurons and Visceral Sensory Neurons Efferent divided into Autonomic & Somatic NS

What is the nervous system?

brain, spinal cord, & nerves

What is the stress response?

the physiological changes associated with stress

What is a stressor?

any physical or psychological event or condition that produces stress. a situation that triggers physical & emotional reactions

Which personality type reacts explosively to stressors?

Type A