Chapter 3: Stress

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

Two parts:
Stressor - Situation/event that triggers physical/emotional reactions
Stress response - The reaction to the stressor
Therefore, stress is the general physiological/emotional state the accompanies the stress response

Question 2

What is the Nervous System made up of?

Answer 2

Spinal cord, nerves, brain

Question 3

What is the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 3

Controls the body process’ that are not under conscious supervision (breathing, heart rate, digestion)

Question 4

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 4

Parasympathetic division and the sympathetic division

Question 5

What is the role of the parasympathetic division?

Answer 5

In control when you are relaxed, digests food, stores energy, promotes growth.

Question 6

What is the role of the sympathetic division?

Answer 6

In control during arousal/emergency, releases non-epinephrine that stimulates alertness

Question 7

What is the endocrine system made up out of?

Answer 7

Glands, tissues, cells

Question 8

What does the endocrine system do in response to stress?

Answer 8

1. Releases hormones into the blood stream
2. Sent to the hypothalamus then pituitary where ACTH is created and sent into the blood stream
3. ACTH to adrenal glands which releases cortisol (steroid that preps the body) and epinephrine (adrenaline and physical changes)

Question 9

What is the cycle of the Fight-or-Flight stress response?

Answer 9

Begin in homeostasis (normal, parasympathetic in control)
Stressor causes fight or flight
Return back to homeostasis

Question 10

What are some physiological changes that occur when in the fight or flight response?

Answer 10

Heart/respiration accelerate to spread O2 around the body
Hearing/vision become more acute
Liver releases sugar into the blood stream to give an extra boost of energy
Perspiration increases to cool the skin
Brain releases endorphin’s that inhibit/block pain in case you’re injured

Question 11

What is homeostasis?

Answer 11

Parasympathetic division is in control, bodily functions are normal and injuries are healed.

Question 12

Describe a person with type A personality

Answer 12

Described as controlling, aggressive, ultra-competitive, easily stressed out, have explosive reactions to stressors

Question 13

Describe a person with type B personality

Answer 13

Described as relaxed, contemplative, are less frustrated and can handle others well

Question 14

Describe a person with type C personality

Answer 14

Described as having difficulty expressing emotion, feel hopeless/despair, exaggerated response to stressors

Question 15

Describe a person with type D personailty

Answer 15

Described as distressed, feel (but not express) negative feelings, avoid social contact, very anxious

Question 16

Why is the fight-or-flight response not healthy for present day?

Answer 16

Stressors come at us all the time causing us to always be in the fight-or-flight response which is damaging to our mental/physical health.

Question 17

What is tend-and-befriend?

Answer 17

A response to stress that allows one to become more social, nurturing to others. Connected to the ‘hug’ hormone oxytoxin.

Question 18

What is mindfulness?

Answer 18

A popular response to stressors that includes making yourself present/in the moment and to slow down, step back and enjoy.

Question 19

List the three types of resilience.

Answer 19

1. Nonreactive resilience: person doesn’t react to stressor
2. Homeostatic resilience: Person reacts strongly but returns to homeostasis quickly
3. Positive growth resilience: Person learns/grows from experiences

Question 20

What are common causes of stress in society?

Answer 20

Clashing cultural backgrounds, gender, personal experiences

Question 21

List some basic stress management strategies.

Answer 21

Build social support, contribute to community, develop life skills, set reasonable expectations, trust others, know your limits, don’t control every outcome.

Question 22

What are common sources of stress in everyday life?

Answer 22

Major life changes, daily hassles, post secondary stressors, social stressors, environmental stressors, internal stressors, job related stress.

Question 23

What is General Adaption Syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 23

There is eustress and distress but our physical response is the same for both.

1. Alarm - initial stressor when the body begins to prep
2. Resistance - Continued stress that changes the bodies homeostasis
3. First two stages are exhausting, the prolonged stress causes a burnout/serious illness

Question 24

What are pleasant stressors called?

Answer 24

Eustress

Question 25

What are unpleasant stressors called?

Answer 25

Distress

Question 26

What are criticisms of General Adaption Syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 26

Limits understanding of psychological factors, assumes everyone responds to stress in the same way

Question 27

What is Allostatic load?

Answer 27

Long term wear/tear of the stress response, the negative effects on health of prolonged stress
Can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity in the stomach (cortisol build up)

Question 28

What is psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)?

Answer 28

The study of interactions between the nervous system and the immune system.
Neuropeptides translate stressful emotions into biochemical events linking the two systems together

Question 29

What are short term effects of stress?

Answer 29

Colds,headaches, stomach ache

Question 30

What are long term effects of stress?

Answer 30

High blood pressure, cancer, psychological problems, type 2 diabetes

Question 31

What does acute stress do to the immune system?

Answer 31

Small amount of stress enhance the immune system

Question 32

What does chronic stress do to the immune system?

Answer 32

A lot of stress can have negative effects on the immune system

Question 33

How does stress cause cardiovascular disease?

Answer 33

Prolonged stress can cause high blood pressure which can lead to cardiovascular disease

Question 34

How does stress cause psychological problems?

Answer 34

Stress activates the enzyme PKC which influences the prefrontal cortex of the brain causing poor focus/judgement
Stress can also links to anxiety, depression etc.

Question 35

What is the Dalai Lama’s view on stress?

Answer 35

Stress can create many negative emotions which can lead to more conflict, therefore less stress=more peace

Question 36

List some ways why stress can be beneficial.

Answer 36

Pushes our limits, moves us to better places, gets us through tough times

Question 37

What does Dr. Kelly McGonigal teach us about how to think about stress?

Answer 37

She teaches that the way you think about stress matter, if you think about it positively you tend to be healthier, if you think about it negatively you tend to be unhealthier.

Question 38

What is Oxytocin? How does it work?

Answer 38

Oxytocin is known as the ‘hug’ hormone. It is a stress hormone but it’s positive, allows you to need to tell someone how you feel and to surround yourself with people who care about you.

Question 39

How does Oxytocin protect you cardiovascular system?

Answer 39

It is an anti-inflammatory which strengthens the heart.

Question 40

What can we conclude about the overall effects of oxytocin?

Answer 40

Seeking help from others when you are stressed makes you healthier and more resilient, it also allows you to be open to caring for those who are stressed.

Question 41

List ways to cope with stress.

Answer 41

Exercise, eat well, get sleep,do deep breathing, manage your time, do relaxation techniques.