Module 39 Flashcards
stress
process of perceiving and responding to certain events that we appraise as threatening or challenging; arouses and motivates us to conquer problems
momentary/minimal stress
can have positive effects - mobilizes immune system for fending off infections and healing wounds; increase spirituality, self-esteem, and purpose; build resilience
chronic stress
can have negative effects - burnout, risky decisions and behaviors, decline in health; triggers blood vessel inflammation, potentially causing heart disease and depression; people who experience social threats are more prone to inflammation
catastrophe
unpredictable, large-scale events (including relocating to another country); can cause paralyzation by fear
acculturative stress
mental and emotional challenge of adapting to a new culture (due to culture shock); decreases over time due to increased meaningful social interactions
stressors
events that we appraise as threatening and challenging
significant life changes
life transitions; many happen during young adulthood; can heighten when trying to take on too many things at once
daily hassles and social stress
some can shrug off, some can’t; can increase when facing prejudice (stress > in marginalized groups)
fight-or-flight response to stress
Cannon; epinephrine and norepinephrine are released due to arousing events (emotion, cold, lack of O2), triggering the sympathetic nervous system and the fight-or-flight response; “executes plan”
glucocorticoid stress hormones
cortisol; released by adrenal glands in response to cerebral cortex urges to stress; combat inflammation and mobilize glucose to use for energy, leading to exhaustion
increased levels of glucocorticoids effects
permanent damage to hippocampus neurons, smaller hippocampi, fatty acid build up on walls of blood vessels (reduced blood flow and increased risk for heart attack), and decreased enzyme production and bloodflow to stomach and intestines (increased vulnerability to bacterial infections)
general adaption system (GAS)
Seyle; body’s adaptive response to stress; alarm reaction, resistance, exhaustion
phase 1 of GAS
alarm reaction; sympathetic nervous system is activated; increase of heart rate, blood goes to skeletal muscles, faintness of shock
phase 2 of GAS
resistance; increase of temperature, blood pressure, and respiration; adrenal glands pump hormones into bloodstream; w/o relief from stress, body’s reserves decrease over time
phase 3 of GAS
exhaustion; become more vulnerable to illness
telomeres
DNA pieces at the ends of chromosomes; shortened in those who suffered severe childhood stress; cause increase of aging in cells and physically
common male stress response
withdrawal; turn to alcohol and becomes emotionally insensitive
tend-&-befriend
responding to stress by providing support to others and bond with and seek support from others; more common in women; caused by oxytocin
oxytocin
stress-moderating hormone that primes people to do things that strengthen close relationships, crave physical contact, increase empathy and helpfulness, protects body from other cardiovascular effects of stress by strengthening heart esp when tending and befriending
behavioral medicine
integrating behavior and medical knowledge
health psych
provides psych’s contributions to behavioral medicine
psychoneuroimmunology
branch of health psych, focuses on mind-body interactions that affects immune system
B lymphocytes
release antibodies to fight bacterial infections
T lymphocytes
attack cancer cells, viruses, and foreign substances
macrophage cells (big eaters)
identify, pursue, and ingest harmful invaders and worn-out cells
natural killer cells (NK cells)
attack diseased cells
immune system overresponse
may attack body’s own tissues, causing allergic reactions and self-attacking diseases; women are more susceptible bc immunologically stronger
immune system underresponse
may allow flare of bacterial infection, dominant virus to erupt, or multiplication of cancer cells; can be done deliberately with transplants
stress’s effect on lymphocytes
reduce release of lymphocytes and increase glucocorticoids which block lymphocyte receptors and prevents destroying foreign microorganisms; surgical wounds heal slower in stressed people; stressed people are more vulnerable to disease; stress can hasten course of disease
carcinogens
cancer-producing substances
connection between stress and cancer
people are at an increased risk for cancer after experiencing extreme stress; isn’t universally agreed upon; can cause people to blame themselves for illnesses and guilt others for theirs; having less stress doesn’t eliminate cancer
coronary heart disease
clogging of vessels that nourish heart muscle; leading cause of death in many developed countries
Type A personality
competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone people; increased risk for heart disease; suppressing these negative emotions increases risk in W cultures
Type B personality
easygoing, relaxed people
pessimists and heart disease
2x likely to develop
people with big smiles and who smile more
outlive others; have extensive social networks
persistent inflammation
asthma, clogged arteries, heightened depression; can result from chronic stress
