Chapter 4: Stress Related Disorders Flashcards
Examples of stress
Within psychology, referred to as the pressures and demands placed on the organism (i.e., individual) to adapt or adjust
Can be negative events but also can include positive events that entail much work that influences stress (e.g., planning for a wedding).
What parts of the endocrine system are impacted by stress, and what do they release into the bloodstream?
The endocrine system is responsible for the body’s release of hormones into the bloodstream.
Involved in the response to stress:
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Adrenal gland
Cortisol steroids
Released by the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal glands). Boost resistance to stress, foster muscle development, induces liver to release sugar.
- Also helps defend body against allergic reactions and inflammation.
Long-term release can have adverse effects on overall health. The same negative outcome can also occur with the automatic nervous system.
Alarm reaction
The first stage of GAS, characterized by heightened sympathetic nervous system activity.
(mobilize resources, increases SNS activity, stress hormone release)
Resistance
The second stage of GAS, involving the body’s attempt to withstand prolonged stress and preserve resources.
(cope with stressor)
Exhaustion
The third stage of GAS, characterized by lowered resistance, increased parasympathetic nervous system activity, and eventual physical deterioration.
(reserves depleted)
Stress-related changes in body associated with the alarm reaction
- Corticosteroids are released.
- Blood shifts from the internal organs to the skeletal muscles.
- Epinephrine and norepinephrine are released.
- Digestion is inhibited.
- Heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure increase.
- Sugar is released by the liver.
- Muscles tense.
- Blood-clotting ability is increased.
Relationships between acculturation and psychological adjustment
Research with Hispanic (Latino) Americans highlights psychological risks associated with acculturation:
- Increased risk of heavy drinking among women.
- Increased risk of smoking and sexual intercourse among adolescents.
- Increased risk of disturbed eating behaviors.
Emotion-focused coping
A coping style that involves reducing the impact of a stressor by ignoring or escaping it rather than dealing with it directly.
- Denial
- Avoidance
- Wish-fulfillment fantasies
- Does not eliminate the stressor, or ability to develop different ways to manage the event/situation.
Problem-focused coping
A coping style that involves confronting a stressor directly.
- Develop a new (and healthy) coping style.
- Modify reaction to the stressor.
- Actively seek support/relevant information.
- In general, this is where mental health treatment becomes beneficial.
Ethnic identity
Strong connections to one’s traditional culture / background appears to decrease the impact of stress-related discrimination.
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
Released through the automatic nervous system (ANS).
Released into the bloodstream, mobilizes the body to handle threatening stressors by accelerating the heart rate, and stimulating the liver to release glucose (sugar used as fuel for cells).
