stress Flashcards
what is stress
a mismatch between demands made upon us and our ability to cope
what is a stressor
an environmental factor that makes you not cope
most common health problems caused by stress
anxiety and depression
what part of the body triggers the fight or flight system
hypothalomus
PAS system
the hypothalamus –> pituitary gland —> which releases ACTH —> adrenal cortex which releases cortisol
What is the PAS system doing
getting your body back to homeostasis
SAM pathway
hypothalamus —> adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline
what is the role of cortisol
restricts blood vessels meaning its quicker to get where it is needed however overtime plaque can build up blocking the blood vessels leading to heart attacks
What did newcomer et al show
shows that cortisol has a impact on your cognitive functioning
Hans Selye research procedure
thought he was going to discover a new hormone
rats given a substance which lead to shrinking thymus, enlarged adrenal glands and an ulcerated stomach.
Then given harmless solution showing the same thing
Even without injections
conclusion on Hans Selye’s research
the physiological changes were to do with stress and predicted that it is the same with humans
What are the three stages of the GAS model
alarm, resistance and exhaustion
Whats the alarm stage
your body goes through the fight or flight response
Whats the resistance stage
Your body mobilizes to cope with the stress
Whats the exhaustion stage
If chronic stress the body will give in to exhaustion and will lead to depleted adrenal glands and the shrinking of the thymus
