Lecture 2.1: Stress

Question 1

What is Stress?

Answer 1

Psychological and physiological response to a stimulus (stressor) that alters the body’s homeostasis

Question 2

Physical Symptoms of Stress

Answer 2

• Chest pain
• Sweating
• Faintness
• Palpitations

Question 3

Psychological Symptoms of Stress

Answer 3

• Anxiety
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Anger
• Confusion

Question 4

Behavioural Symptoms of Stress

Answer 4

• Smoking
• Drinking Alcohol
• Drug Use
• Change in eating behaviour

Question 5

What Types/Durations of Stressors are there? (5)

Answer 5

• Acute: Death
• Chronic: Caregiving
• Daily hassles: Traffic
• Traumatic: Assault
• Role strain: Balancing Home and Work

Question 6

What system is responsible for the fight or flight response?

Answer 6

• Autonomic Nervous System

Question 7

What triggers the fight or flight response?

Answer 7

• Triggered by catecholamines
• Adrenaline and noradrenaline
• Increase heart rate, reduce digestion to save
energy

Question 8

What is the role of the HPA Axis in the fight or flight response?

Answer 8

• Release of cortisol (a stress hormone)
• Increased Blood Sugar
• Inflammatory Response

Question 9

What is the short-term effect of stress on the immune system? (3)

Answer 9

• Immune system up-regulated
• Cell-mediated immunity
• Prepares to repair damage and resist infection

Question 10

What is the long-term effect of stress on the immune system? (3)

Answer 10

• Depressed immune function
• Inflammation
• Cortisol

Question 11

Side-Effects of Long-Term Stress? (4)

Answer 11

• Depression increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease
• Neurotoxic cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines
• Over activation of sympathetic nervous system
• Causes thinning of grey matter in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

Question 12

What is Psoriasis?

Answer 12

• A skin condition
• Causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales

Question 13

Where is Psoriasis most commonly found on the body?

Answer 13

• Elbows
• Knees
• Scalp
• Lower Back
• But can appear anywhere on your body

Question 14

Cognitive Strategies of Stress Strategies

Answer 14

• Cognitive Restructuring
• Hypothesis Testing
• Meditation

Question 15

Behavioural Strategies of Stress Strategies

Answer 15

• Skills Training
• Time Management

Question 16

Emotional Strategies of Stress Strategies

Answer 16

• Counselling
• Social Support

Question 17

Physical Strategies of Stress Strategies

Answer 17

• Relaxation
• Exercise

Question 18

Symptoms of Anxiety (7)

Answer 18

• Unsteadiness/Dizziness/Light-Headedness
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Increased Heart Rate/Palpitations
• Shortness of Breath
• Trembling/Shaking
• Upset Stomach

Question 19

What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)? Duration?

Answer 19

• Excessive worry more days than not for >6 months
  about a number of events
• Difficult to control the worry

Question 20

Symptoms of GAD (at least 3 of these)

Answer 20

• Restlessness
• Easily Fatigued
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Irritability
• Muscle Tension
• Sleep Disturbance

Question 21

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Answer 21

• Recurrent and persistent thoughts/impulses that are intrusive and unwanted
that cause marked anxiety or distress
• The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges or images, or
to neutralise them with some other thought or action (i.e. compulsion)

Question 22

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Answer 22

• Reaction to exposure to actual or threatened death or serious and/or sexual
violence

Question 23

Symptoms of PTSD? (7)

Answer 23

• Recurrent, involuntary and intrusive memories of event
• Recurrent trauma-related nightmares
• Dissociative reactions
• Intense physiologic distress at cue exposure
• Marked physiological reactivity at cue exposure
• Avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts or feelings of the event(s)
• Avoidance of external reminders of that arouse memories of event(s)

Question 24

What is the Neurobiology of Anxiety Disorders?

Question 25

What is the Neurobiology of Anxiety Disorders (Overview)?

Answer 25

• Overactive bottom-up activity from the amygdala
• Indicating the presence of potentially threatening stimuli
• Dysfunctional top-down control mechanisms originating in the PFC
• Related to an inappropriate representation of the emotional salience of stimuli