Physiological Stress Response Flashcards
What is the Psychophysiological Response to Stress Model?
-event/stressor –> appraisal [if threat or challenge] –> stress response
-stress response leads to perceived stress and physiological changes that affect our appraisal [tell our brain how stressed we are]
What are some moderators that affect our stress response (Psychophysiological Model)?
-coping
-social support
-control
-personality
What [physiological] variability affects our stress response (Psychophysiological Model)?
-stress reactivity
-allostatic load [how much capacity does my body have to deal with this situation]
-stress recovery
What happens to individuals taking beta blockers (psychophysiological model)?
-stressor –> appraisal as threat –> stress response –> no physiological changes (HR doesn’t increase because of beta blockers)
-brain realizes that their heart isn’t beating faster, so they calm down and no longer feel stressed;
-some individuals take these rather than benzos
Who discovered the flight or fight response and what is it?
-Walter Cannon
-it is the body’s natural response to stress
-stressors that are of a physical nature
-designed to maximize the body’s ability to run or fight
Which organs are affected by the flight or fight and how?
-eyes [pupils dilate]
-lungs [quick deep breathing]
-bowel [digestion slows down]
-blood vessels [BP increases and vessels expand to increase blood flow]
-muscles [become more tense]
-stomach [digestion slowed]
-heart [beats faster and harder]
-skin [blood vessels constrict; chills & sweating]
-saliva [flow decreases]
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome and who created it?
-Hans Selye [from Montreal]
-looked at prolonged stress
-3 phases:
A: basically fight or flight, body opens up to get going
B: body continues to release cortisol, and does not respond well to the excessive hormones going through the body
C: stage of exhaustion (aka burnout); body eventually collapses
What are the 3 physiological systems involved in the stress response?
-the nervous system
-the endocrine system
-the immune system
What is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) responsible for?
-ANS regulates visceral activities and vital organs, including:
–circulation
–digestion
–respiration
–temperature regulation
What are the 2 branches of ANS that act to maintain homeostatic balance?
-sympathetic: arousal branch —> becomes activated when exposed to stress
-parasympathetic response brings the body back to normal (reduces arousal) when the danger has passed
What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?
-is responsible for the responses associated with the fight-or-flight response
-this physical arousal is stimulated through the release of catecholamines
epinephrine (adrenaline)
norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
What is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?
-maintains homeostasis through the release of acetylcholine (ACh)
-is responsible for energy conservation and relaxation
What happens during a stressful response in the endocrine system (HPA Axis)?
-hypothalamus –> releases CRH –> pituitary gland –> secretes ACTH –> sends a signal to adrenal glands (on top of kidney) [specifically to the adrenal cortex] –> releases cortisol
-Negative feedback loop tells the CRH or ACTH to reduce cortisol release [cortisol goes to hypothalamus & pituitary gland]
What is the endocrine system?
-consists of a series of hormonal glands located throughout the body which regulate metabolic functions that require endurance rather than speed
-the endocrine system is a network of four components: glands, hormones, circulation, and target organs
Which glands of the endocrine system are involved in the stress response?
-The glands most closely involved with the stress response are the:
pituitary
thyroid
adrenal
What does cortisol do?
-catalyzes glucose metabolism
-stabilizes blood pressure
-maintains normal blood sugar levels
-involved in the inflammatory response
-facilitate energy production
-improve memory capability
-bolster immune function
-reduce pain sensitivity
-precipitate homeostasis
What are the 3 stages of effects associated with the stress response?
-Immediate effects of stress
-Intermediate effects of stress
-Prolonged effects of stress
What is involved in the Immediate effects of stress?
-Sympathetic nervous response
-Epinephrine and norepinephrine released
-Time: 2 to 3 seconds
[fight or flight]
What is involved in the Intermediate effects of stress?
-Adrenal response
-Epinephrine and norepinephrine release from adrenal medulla
-Time: 20 to 30 seconds
[stress response from sympathetic nervous system?]
What is involved in the Prolonged effects of stress?
-ACTH, vasopressin, and thyroxine affect various metabolic processes
-Time: minutes, hours, days, or weeks
How does stress affect our immune system?
-cortisol suppresses immune system: leaving us vulnerable to disease
-in the long-term, immune system is compromised
-immune system is completely integrated into our stress response along with our other systems, directly and indirectly
What is Glucocorticoid?
-cortisol
