Stress Flashcards
Two types of the autonomic nervous system.
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
What happens when the sympathetic nervous system is activated?
Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Pupil dilation Increased breathing Digestion reduces, blood moves away from the stomach.
Describe the pathway for when a threat is detected.
Threat –> hypothalamus –> SAM –> activates sympathetic–> adrenal medulla—> releases adrenalin and Nora adrenaline—> increased blood pressure, heart rate, pupils dilate
Or
Theat–> hypothalamus–> PA system–> pituitary gland—> ACTH–> adrenal cortex —> releases cortisol—> releases stored glucose, suppression of immune system.
SBEUC
SHRINK thymus gland disrupted BALANCE of immune system worsen skin conditions like ECZEMA. cause us to eat UNHEALTHILY increase the risk of CANCER
Kiecolt + Glaser
1984
75 medical students, before and first day of exams
Blood samples taken, natural killer T cell activity measured. Also questionnaires.
Natural killer cell activity was significantly lower on first day.
Also those who scored low on life events and loneliness were lower anyway.
Riley
1981 mice study
Turntable 5 hours- lymphocyte count significantly lower in rotated group.
Later study, injected with cancer, rotated 10 mins per hour for 3 days.
Rotated group, larger tumours.
Kiecolt and Glaser
2005
42 married couples, blister wound
Wounds healed slower after conflict discussions
Repeated measures
Gerra
2003
People who had been unexpectedly bereaved and control group.
I immune function was assessed using blood samples 40days and 6 months after bereavement.
Significantly lower natural killer cell activity in bereaved group.
Johansson
1978
14 finishers 10 cleaners
Measured adrenaline in urine and days of work
Finishers had more adrenaline in their urine, higher activation of SAM. Also had more stress related illnesses, e.g headaches.
Marmot et al
1997 Lack of control
5 year study
7,000 men, women (35-55yrs)
Civil servants in London
Control was measured using questionnaires and self report. CHD was measure using self report of chest pains and doctor diagnosis.
Low control at work was significantly related to CHD better predictor than other risk factors.
What is the definition of stress?
The perceived demands of the situation exceed the perceived ability to cope.
Holmes and Rahe
1967
Life changes scale
Social readjustment rating scale ( SRRS )
Rahe
1970
2,500 sailors answered the SRRS. Over the next six months medical records were checked.
found a 0.118 positive correlation between life changes and health records.
De longis et al
1982 life events vs daily hassles
109 participants (45+) looked at over a year
Self report questionnaires using hassles scale and life events scale.
Health questionnaire
High correlation between hassles and poor health and stronger than the correlation between poor health and life events.
Hassles
Lead to a feeling of lack of control
Also they accumulate over a long period of time
Hassles can also amplify the effect of life changes
Less sympathy from hassles
Friedman and Roseman
1974
3,200 men (39-59yrs) followed up after 8yrs
Personality was assessed using a structured interview either
type A,B,X
Type A, twice as more likely to contract heart disease.
Even when other factors were taken into account.
Lee and Watanuki
2007
14 type A 16 type B students
Show. Pictures of forests (relaxing) then car accidents (stressful)
Measured heart rate and timed how long it stayed high.
Found that type A showed a higher heart rate when shown stressful images (More reactive SAM). Took longer to return to baseline.
What does the hardy personality involve?
Control
Commitment
Challenge
Kobassa
1979
150 male business executives who had scored highly on the (SRRS). The men were then given a measure of hardiness.
There medical records were checked. It was found that those with less days of work, due to illness, had a more hardy personality.
How do BZs work?
Enhance the activity of GABA, which is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter. If the action of GABA is enhanced the nervous system calms down, and reduce the stress response.
Davidson
1993
75 patients with social anxiety. BZs or placebos. Followed up 2yrs later.
78% of those treated with BZs reported improved symptoms
20% of placebo group
Strengths and limitations of BZs.
Strengths:
Work quickly
Less risks if patients overdose
Weaknesses
Side effects (drowsiness)
Addictive
How do beta-blockers work?
Do not act directly on the brain, reduce the activity of the sympathetic branch by damping down the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline.
Gates
1985
34 singers placebo or BBs
Low doses of BBs produced only small improvements and high doses significantly impaired performance, compared to placebo.
