lecture 8 + ch3(some)

Question 1

stressor

Answer 1

external or internal event or situation that places a physical or psychological demand on someone

Question 2

stress

Answer 2

internal psychological or physiological response to a stressor

Question 3

trauma

Answer 3

significant psychological distress

Question 4

controversy of DSM-5 and trauma

Answer 4

it focuses on specific events but ppl can have complex traumas

Question 5

list the names of brain regions involved in stress responses

Answer 5

thalamus
amygdala
hippocampus
prefrontal cortex
sensorimotor cortex

Question 6

thalamus purpose in stress response

Answer 6

sensory signal relay (sends info to other brain areas)

Question 7

amygdala purpose in stress response

Answer 7

FAST response, decides if event if something we have to respond to and if yes then it increases activity!

Question 8

hippocampus purpose in stress response

Answer 8

memory/learning, might retrieve past memories to re-evaluate threats

Question 9

prefrontal cortex purpose in stress response

Answer 9

interpretation/planning, allow us to re-interpret info and plan action

Question 10

sensorimotor cortex purpose in stress response

Answer 10

coordination of sensory and motor functions

Question 11

explain HPA axis response to stressors

Answer 11

real or perceived threat occurs –> cortical areas process + interpret sensory info –> amygdala activates –> hypothalamus releases CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone)–> pituitary gland releases ACTH –> adrenal glands release epinephrine + cortisol –> body prepares for fight flight freezing (the cortical + hormone responses connect, and the hormone + behavioural responses connect)

Question 12

what is the purpose of stress hormones?

Answer 12

prepare us to engage in fight/flight/freezing

Question 13

whats a brain region that can inhibit the HPA axis?

Answer 13

hippocampus

Question 14

how is the HPA axis regulated by feedback loops?

Answer 14

it has a set point so if hormones go over that level, the hypothalamus can stop the activity and the stress response can be reduced

Question 15

what does the sympathetic branch of nervous system do

Answer 15

response to stressor by activating flight fight freeze

Question 16

what does parasympathetic branch do

Answer 16

returns body to homeostasis

Question 17

purpose of immune response

Answer 17

recognize foreign agents in body and destroy them

it was evolved to protect organisms from pathogens!

Question 18

2 types of immunity that protect organisms

Answer 18

1. present at birth: respond to many pathogens, fast acting, nonspecific, short duration
2. develops after birth: recognizes specific pathogens after first contact with them, and is more long lasting (contain memory of pathogens)

Question 19

cortisol function

Answer 19

can increase availability of glucose by suppressing the immune response.

however if the cortisol lvls are too high for too long, supressed immune system cant fight infections

Question 20

what effect can short term stress have on the immune system?

Answer 20

can enhance immune system function

Question 21

adjustment disorder + criteria

Answer 21

reactions to life stressors that r disproportionate to the severity or intensity of the event/situation

must be exposed to identifiable stressors within 3 months of onset of symptoms

mood/behavior changes

Question 22

acute stress disorder CRITERIA

Answer 22

at least 9 symptoms from ANY of the clusters

symptoms persist for at least 3 days but not longer than a month after trauma event

develops in 20% of those who experience a traumatic event (esp interpersonal trauma)

direct or indirect exposure to trauma event

Question 23

PTSD CRITERIA

Answer 23

at least 1 symptom from EACH of the clusters

symptoms persist for longer than 1 month after traumatic event

direct or indirect exposure to trauma event

Question 24

what is lifetime prevalence of PTSD

Answer 24

8.7%

Question 25

list and give one example of clusters for PTSD and acute stress disorder symptoms

Answer 25

intrusion symptoms (intrusive thoughts)

dissociative symptoms (see lec 4)

avoidance (like of places or objects)

negative alterations in mood or cognition

Arousal and changes in reactivity (irritability)

Question 26

prolonged grief disorder

Answer 26

new to DSM-5-TR

death of closed love one at least 12 months ago and since death they show;
- persistent, significant grief
- at least 3 other symptoms (3 examples r avoidance, intense emotional pain, feeling numb or empty)

Question 27

biological cause for trauma + stress disorders: GENES

Answer 27

modest contribution

short allele of serotonin transporter gene = increased sensitivity to stress + more prone to anxiety seen in PTSD

Question 28

biological cause for trauma + stress disorders: HIGH REACTIVITY TO FEAR AND STRESS

Answer 28

stress response continues even if stressor not present, resulting in:
HPA axis dysfunction

sensitive autonomic nervous system

serotonin dysregulation

brain structure + function abnormalities

Question 29

psychological cause for trauma + stress disorders: CONDITIONING

Answer 29

classical cond. and negative reinforcement

Question 30

psychological cause for trauma + stress disorders: RISK FACTORS (list them)

Answer 30

pre existing conditions (anxiety, depression)

-ve emotions (anger)

tendency to generalize trauma related stimuli

-ve cognitive style

Question 31

FILL IN THE BLANKS!
psychological cause for trauma + stress disorders: Trauma makes it more difficult to integrate ‘___’, _____ memories into ‘____’, ______ memories

Answer 31

hot emotional memories

into cold autobiographical memories

Question 32

social/cultural cause for trauma + stress disorders: RISK FACTORS (list them)

Answer 32

lack of social support esp during childhood

pre-existing family conflict or maltreatment

gender (women 2x more likely to develop these disorders)

Question 33

treatment for adjustment disorder

Answer 33

not many studies have been done, but usually brief forms of psychotherapy (focus on adaptive response to stressors or removing stressors)

Question 34

list the two general treatment options for acture stress disorder and PTSD, and then explain more specifically.

Answer 34

medication and psychotherapy.

for meds, can be antidepressants or other meds depending on symptoms (ex; anti-anxiety drugs)

for psychotherapy, the 3 options include:
- prolonged exposure therapy (exposure to trauma cues, promoting fear extinction)
- CBT and trauma focused CBT (helping them find dysfunctional cognitions abt the trauma and themselves, exposure to trauma cues)
- eye movement desensitization and reprocessing ( visualizing trauma event while following stimuli that moves from side 2 side, reactivates memories allowing for detachment from -ve emotions)