Stress and Health

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

Physical/psychological responses to prepare a person to cope with a particular demand - fight, flight, freeze

Question 2

Acute stress

Answer 2

Urgent demand

Question 3

Chronic stress

Answer 3

Prolonged period of time

Question 4

Examples of common stressors

Answer 4

Physical - noise, heat/cold, pain
Psychological and social - cognitive demands: treatment decisions ,exams
- social contact: crowds, isolation, hostility
- life events: life changes +ve/-ve

Question 5

How are life changes measured?

Answer 5

Survey of readjustment needed due to the life change

eg. Social readjustment rating scale

Question 6

How are individuals more vulnerable to stress?

Answer 6

Diathesis stress model - stress interacts with vulnerability factors (psychosocial, genetic, physiological) to increase risk of mental and physical health

Question 7

Stress response

Answer 7

Amygdala - CRF - Hypothalamus - CRF - pituitary - ACTH - adrenal cortex - cortisol

Question 8

Signs and symptoms of stress response

Answer 8

Physical - headaches, insomnia, nausea
Social and behavioural - lateness, decreased social engagement
Psychological- difficulty concentrating, brain fog, anxiety, depression

Question 9

Direct effects on the body

Answer 9

Immune system: excess cortisol, decreased T cell activity
Delayed healing: careers of people with dementia
Cardiovascular system reactivity: activated platelets, increase in lipids, promotes plaque on artery walls

Question 10

Indirect effects of stress

Answer 10

Self-medication: smoking, alcohol, eating
Exposure to danger due to lack of concentration
Affect health protective factors: exercise, sleep
Uptake of medical care: adherence to medication