lecture 8 + ch3(some) Flashcards
stressor
external or internal event or situation that places a physical or psychological demand on someone
stress
internal psychological or physiological response to a stressor
trauma
significant psychological distress
controversy of DSM-5 and trauma
it focuses on specific events but ppl can have complex traumas
list the names of brain regions involved in stress responses
thalamus
amygdala
hippocampus
prefrontal cortex
sensorimotor cortex
thalamus purpose in stress response
sensory signal relay (sends info to other brain areas)
amygdala purpose in stress response
FAST response, decides if event if something we have to respond to and if yes then it increases activity!
hippocampus purpose in stress response
memory/learning, might retrieve past memories to re-evaluate threats
prefrontal cortex purpose in stress response
interpretation/planning, allow us to re-interpret info and plan action
sensorimotor cortex purpose in stress response
coordination of sensory and motor functions
explain HPA axis response to stressors
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)
what is the purpose of stress hormones?
prepare us to engage in fight/flight/freezing
whats a brain region that can inhibit the HPA axis?
hippocampus
how is the HPA axis regulated by feedback loops?
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
what does the sympathetic branch of nervous system do
response to stressor by activating flight fight freeze
what does parasympathetic branch do
returns body to homeostasis
purpose of immune response
recognize foreign agents in body and destroy them
it was evolved to protect organisms from pathogens!
2 types of immunity that protect organisms
- present at birth: respond to many pathogens, fast acting, nonspecific, short duration
- develops after birth: recognizes specific pathogens after first contact with them, and is more long lasting (contain memory of pathogens)
cortisol function
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
what effect can short term stress have on the immune system?
can enhance immune system function
adjustment disorder + criteria
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
acute stress disorder CRITERIA
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
PTSD CRITERIA
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
what is lifetime prevalence of PTSD
8.7%
list and give one example of clusters for PTSD and acute stress disorder symptoms
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)
prolonged grief disorder
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)
biological cause for trauma + stress disorders: GENES
modest contribution
short allele of serotonin transporter gene = increased sensitivity to stress + more prone to anxiety seen in PTSD
biological cause for trauma + stress disorders: HIGH REACTIVITY TO FEAR AND STRESS
stress response continues even if stressor not present, resulting in:
HPA axis dysfunction
sensitive autonomic nervous system
serotonin dysregulation
brain structure + function abnormalities
psychological cause for trauma + stress disorders: CONDITIONING
classical cond. and negative reinforcement
psychological cause for trauma + stress disorders: RISK FACTORS (list them)
pre existing conditions (anxiety, depression)
-ve emotions (anger)
tendency to generalize trauma related stimuli
-ve cognitive style
FILL IN THE BLANKS!
psychological cause for trauma + stress disorders: Trauma makes it more difficult to integrate ‘___’, _____ memories into ‘____’, ______ memories
hot emotional memories
into cold autobiographical memories
social/cultural cause for trauma + stress disorders: RISK FACTORS (list them)
lack of social support esp during childhood
pre-existing family conflict or maltreatment
gender (women 2x more likely to develop these disorders)
treatment for adjustment disorder
not many studies have been done, but usually brief forms of psychotherapy (focus on adaptive response to stressors or removing stressors)
list the two general treatment options for acture stress disorder and PTSD, and then explain more specifically.
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)
