Stress

Question 1

Why do we become stressed?

Answer 1

It occurs when we are exposed to some sort of threat. It involves coordinated responses from a number of different systems and structures.

Question 2

What is the hypothalamus?

Answer 2

It is in charge of stress responses. Stress response is triggered, it sends signals to two other structures: the pituitary gland and the sympathetic ganglia.

Question 3

What is the pituitary gland?

Answer 3

It controls glands of endocrine system (hormones).
When activated by the hypothalamus it releases ACTH, which activates the adrenal cortex.
ACTH= Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Question 4

What is the sympathetic ganglia?

Answer 4

The sympathetic ganglia is connected to the internal organs. When activated they affect the functioning of the lungs, heart and digestive system.
They are also connected to the adrenal medulla.

Question 5

What is the adrenal cortex?

Answer 5

The adrenal cortex releases chemicals and corticosteroids.

These have a number of functions including releasing stored glucose and controlling swelling after injury.

Question 6

What is the adrenal medulla?

Answer 6

The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline.

This hormone stimulates the sympathetic ganglia, keeping their activity at a high level.

Question 7

What is the definition of stress?

Answer 7

A state of physiological or psychological strain caused by adverse stimuli, (physical mental,internal or external) that tend to disturb the functioning of an organism.

Question 8

What happens during a fight or flight response?

Answer 8

Increase in oxygen intake +
Released stored glucose +
Divert resources away from digestion =
Ready to expend energy, either by fighting or by running away.

Question 9

What was Hans Selye’s ‘General adaptation syndrome’ 1936?

Answer 9

GAS- a non-specific physiological response that occurs to a variety of stressful stimuli.
METHOD- Experiment using rats.
Exposed rats to different unpleasant stimuli (excessive exercise, injury, cold, dangerous drugs)
Measured their physiological responses to the stimuli (heart rate, muscle tone,temperature, working of internal organs)

FINDINGS- Rats responded in a similar way
Response is non-specific
All rats showed the same pattern of response over time with prolonged exposure to the stressor

Question 10

what are the 3 stages of GAS?

Answer 10

STAGE 1- The alarm reaction stage.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system is in operation. (fight or flight response)

STAGE 2- Resistant stage
If the stress persists the body seeks to maintaining arousal at all constant if slightly lower level. The body is adapting to the demands of the environment.

STAGE 3- Exhaustion stage.
Eventually continued arousal exhausts bodily resources producing negative physiological and psychological effects. The initial ‘fight or flight response’ reappears

Question 11

What are the physiological effects of the 3rd stage?

Answer 11

1. Reduced resistance to infection (suppression of immune system). For example headaches, asthma, colds, cancer, stomach ulcers and heart circulatory disorder.
2. Anger and frustration, depression and helplessness, anxiety.

Question 12

What did Cohen and Herbert 1996 find?

Answer 12

That stressed associated with increased susceptibility to cold, flu, herpes, viruses and chickenpox

Question 13

What did Bartrop et al 1977 find?

Answer 13

That immune suppression followed loss of intimate relationships through death or divorce.

Question 14

What three things that relate to stress cause an increased risk of disease?

Answer 14

Direct biological effects e.g. physical strain, hormonal changes.

Maladaptive coping behaviour, e.g. smoking or drinking.

Emotionally meditated effects on diet and activity level.

Question 15

What did Cohen and Herbert 1996 find stress and illness?

Answer 15

That stressed associated with increased susceptibility to cold, flu, herpes, viruses and chickenpox

Question 16

What did Bartrop et al 1977 find on stress and illness?

Answer 16

That immune suppression followed loss of intimate relationships through death or divorce.

Question 17

What three things that relate to stress cause an increased risk of disease?

Answer 17

Direct biological effects e.g. physical strain, hormonal changes.

Maladaptive coping behaviour, e.g. smoking or drinking.

Emotionally meditated effects on diet and activity level.

Question 18

What are the fixed and variable factors that cause heart disease?

Answer 18

FIXED-

• Genetics
• Ethnicity
• Sex
• Age

VARIABLE-

• High cholesterol
• Hypertension
• Inactivity
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High A reactive protein

Question 19

What did Friedman and Rosenman 1974 find on stress and heart disease?

Answer 19

-They assessed 3,200 healthy american men.
-Stress prone individuals (type A’s) were identified; anger and hostility, competitiveness, time urgency.
-After 8 years they were reassessed.
257 out of 3,200 developed chronic heart disease. 70% were type A’s.
-Association remained when smoking and other life style factors were accounted for.

Question 20

What did Kuimaki et al 2002 find on stress adn heart disease?

Answer 20

Highly stressed people were twice as likely to die from heart problems.

Question 21

What did Kuimaki et al 2002 find on stress and heart disease?

Answer 21

Highly stressed people were twice as likely to die from heart problems.

Question 22

What did Sheps et al 2002 find on stress and heart disease?

Answer 22

Stress prone individuals with heart problems are three times more likely to die from a heart attack.

Question 23

What happens in stage 1 of GAS?

Answer 23

ALARM stage
Fight or Flight response is triggered.
This is part of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) this deals with acute stressors.
The sympathetic adrenal medullary system (SAM) becomes activated.
This is controlled by electrical impulses through nerves, making the response fast.

PROCESS:

1. Hypothalamus sends a message to the Adrenal Medulla which is part of the adrenal gland in the kidneys.
2. Adrenal medulla then releases adrenaline into the bloodstream, stimulating the body.

Question 24

What happens in stage 2 of GAS?

Answer 24

RESISTANCE
If the stressor is not dealt with the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM helps us to maintain our response. Through the HYPOTHALAMIC PITUITARY ADRENOCORTICAL AXIS (HPA). This is a HORMONAL response and TRAVELS THROUGH THE BLOOD, making this a slower response.

PROCESS:

1. The hypothalamus sends a message to the pituitary gland.
2. This releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
3. This causes the adrenal cortex to release cortisol.
4. The liver is stimulated to release glucose and also suppress the immune system.

Question 25

What happens in the third stage?

Answer 25

EXHAUSTION
This stage occurs when the body can no longer keep up with the stressor, and the body’s resources have become depleted.This is the stage where illness is most likely.

Once ACTH and cortisol are in the bloodstream the production of more is inhibited.
The adrenal glands no longer function properly and increase in size.

Blood glucose levels tend to drop, which may result in death.

Psychological disorders may develop, e.g. hyper extension, CHD, asthma and peptic ulcers.

Question 26

What does the biological approach to stress do do treat stress?

Answer 26

Attempt to reduce the biological stress reactions.
- Drug treatments.
- Biofeedback training.
Centrally acting drugs affect the brain systems and chemicals related to stress.
- ANXIOLYTIC drugs like the benzodiapines (BZs) affect noradrenaline levels and the activity of the limbic system.
Peripherally acting drugs affect the nervous system in the body.
- Beta-blockers reduce the responsiveness of the sympathetic ganglia and nerves.

Question 27

What does the psychological approach to stress do to treat stress?

Answer 27

Attempt to alter perceptions of stressor or coping resources.

• Stress inoculation
• Hardiness training