Lecture 2.1: Stress Flashcards
What is Stress?
Psychological and physiological response to a stimulus (stressor) that alters the body’s homeostasis
Physical Symptoms of Stress
• Chest pain
• Sweating
• Faintness
• Palpitations
Psychological Symptoms of Stress
• Anxiety
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Anger
• Confusion
Behavioural Symptoms of Stress
• Smoking
• Drinking Alcohol
• Drug Use
• Change in eating behaviour
What Types/Durations of Stressors are there? (5)
• Acute: Death
• Chronic: Caregiving
• Daily hassles: Traffic
• Traumatic: Assault
• Role strain: Balancing Home and Work
What system is responsible for the fight or flight response?
• Autonomic Nervous System
What triggers the fight or flight response?
• Triggered by catecholamines
• Adrenaline and noradrenaline
• Increase heart rate, reduce digestion to save
energy
What is the role of the HPA Axis in the fight or flight response?
• Release of cortisol (a stress hormone)
• Increased Blood Sugar
• Inflammatory Response
What is the short-term effect of stress on the immune system? (3)
• Immune system up-regulated
• Cell-mediated immunity
• Prepares to repair damage and resist infection
What is the long-term effect of stress on the immune system? (3)
• Depressed immune function
• Inflammation
• Cortisol
Side-Effects of Long-Term Stress? (4)
• 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
What is Psoriasis?
• A skin condition
• Causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales
Where is Psoriasis most commonly found on the body?
• Elbows
• Knees
• Scalp
• Lower Back
• But can appear anywhere on your body
Cognitive Strategies of Stress Strategies
• Cognitive Restructuring
• Hypothesis Testing
• Meditation
Behavioural Strategies of Stress Strategies
• Skills Training
• Time Management
Emotional Strategies of Stress Strategies
• Counselling
• Social Support
Physical Strategies of Stress Strategies
• Relaxation
• Exercise
Symptoms of Anxiety (7)
• Unsteadiness/Dizziness/Light-Headedness
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Increased Heart Rate/Palpitations
• Shortness of Breath
• Trembling/Shaking
• Upset Stomach
What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)? Duration?
- Excessive worry more days than not for >6 months
about a number of events - Difficult to control the worry
Symptoms of GAD (at least 3 of these)
• Restlessness
• Easily Fatigued
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Irritability
• Muscle Tension
• Sleep Disturbance
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
• 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)
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
• Reaction to exposure to actual or threatened death or serious and/or sexual
violence
Symptoms of PTSD? (7)
• 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)
What is the Neurobiology of Anxiety Disorders?
What is the Neurobiology of Anxiety Disorders (Overview)?
• 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
