stress, fff and cortisol Flashcards
Stressors
are the social and physical environmental circumstances that challenge the adaptive capabilities and resources of an organism.
internal stressor
stressor originates within the individual and can be both biological and psychological.
For example; pain, illness, disease and sleep deprivation are all biological internal stressors in contrast to expectations, mindset, feelings and thoughts are all psychological internal stressors (psychological and biological)
external stressor
are sources of stress that originate **outside **of an individual. They include environmental events and social or cultural stressors, such as:
loud noises and extreme temperatures ( environment and sociocultural)
Stress
is a psychological or physiological response produced by internal or external stressors that is perceived as challenging or threatening our ability to cope.
both psychological and physiological components and consequences. can involve changes affecting nearly every system of the body, influencing how we think, feel and behave. Therefore considered to be a psychobiological response.
different stress responses
-Stress can affect different people in different ways, depending on the type of stressor, its severity or intensity, its duration and the individual involved.
-Our reaction to a stressor is a stress response. Any **stress response begins in the brain. **
-Initial physiological reactions (i.e., changes to heart and breathing rate) are often involuntary and involve a pattern of bodily changes that occur in much the same way in all individuals.
-Psychological responses are not involuntary, and we have some degree of control over them.
physiological effects of stress
A range of physical symptoms or illnesses can result from ongoing stress. They vary considerably between people.
Some of the more common physical effects of intense or prolonged arousal include: dizziness, fatigue, skin rashes, muscle tension, and the possible onset of colds, flus, and digestive disorders.
Psychological Effects of stress
influenced by prior experience and tend to depend on our personal interpretation of the stressor and our ability to deal with it.
Psychological effects can be classified into three main categories – Affective (emotional), Behavioural and Cognitive.
ABC (affective, behaviour and cognitive)
Affective changes include: anxiety, depression, withdrawal, aggressive behaviour, irritability, hopelessness, negativity
Behavioural effects include: shaky voice, facial expressions, changes in eating habits and changes in sleeping patterns.
Cognitive effects include: inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, indecisiveness, catastrophising, and difficulty problem solving and decision making.
Acute stress
Once the stressor is removed or is successfully dealt with, we tend to make a quick recovery, and our bodies return to homeostasis.
Stress that usually occurs because of a sudden threat and only lasts for a short time.
Examples: Sitting and exam, giving a speech, being victim of an assault. .
Chronic stress
Chronic stress causes the suppression of the immune system, upset digestive system, increase risk of heart attack, speeds the aging process and can result in cases of anxiety and depression.
Stress that lasts for a long time.
Examples: Relationship problems, bullying, living in a war zone.
Stress arousal
- body attempts to fight stressors by becoming aroused. If the stressor is not dealt with successfully, and stress is therefore prolonged, the ** body will use up its resources**
eustress and distress
EUSTRESS is a positive psychological response to a stressor (e.g. enthusiastic, excited, active and alert
DISTRESS is a negative psychological response to a stressor (e.g. anger, anxiety, nervousness, irritability or tension.
stress and disease
Stress has been linked to a range of illnesses. These illnesses are often psychosomatic illnesses. That is, they are real physical illnesses that have been caused in part, or entirely, or are worsened by psychological factors.
As stress may inhibit the activity of the immune system, harmful bacteria are not recognised and eliminated from the body at a fast enough pace
FFF
immediate threat to your wellbeing is usually a stress producing experience that triggers a rapidly occurring series of physiological changes.
Without our awareness or conscious control, our body immediately responds by activating the fight-or-flight-or-freeze response.
The fight-or-flight-or-freeze response is an involuntary response to a threatening, fearful or otherwise stressful situation, involving physiological changes produced by the sympathetic nervous system in readiness for: Flight, fight, freeze.
Fight or Flight Acute Stress Responses
the fight and flight reactions involve a physiological stress response that has two parts which occur one after the other.
you experience similar physiological responses
-activated by sympathetic ns, occur within seconds
Freeze (Acute Stress) Response
The freeze response occurs when we feel so helpless in the face of a threat that we become immobilised in its presence due.
The parasymapthetic nervous system is dominant but we remain on high alert.
This freeze response prevents any fight or flight attempt.
-adaptive and non adaptive value.This type of response is often referred to as ‘tonic immobility’ and includes motor and vocal inhibitions.
-also thought that freezing is a way for the nervous system to prepare to immediately shift into fight or flight action.
advantages of freeze response
Like the fight or flight options, the freeze response is an adaptive response – it enhances survival.
There are clear examples of this in animal kingdom:
Small mammals may ‘freeze’ when they see a predator hoping that by making no noise, they will not attract attention.
Some animals ‘play dead’, especially for predators that only eat live prey.
for humans: The freeze state immobolises people and conserves energy by directing it only to organ’s needed for basic survival until the threat has passed.
cortisol
Cortisol is released during prolonged stress. It can have a positive effect on our stress response but it can also harm the body.
maintain attention, metabolism to fight stressor
cortisol benefits
Cortisol is considered the primary stress hormone.
-Cortisol acts more slowly, and its effects are longer lasting than the other stress hormones. It predominately benefits us in times of chronic stress by:
-boosting our energy levels and increasing blood glucose levels.
- heightening our alertness, increasing the brain’s use of glucose.
-increasing the body’s ability to repair tissue.
-diverting energy from non-essential bodily functions such as digestion, growth and reproduction.
cortisol limits
- excessive amount of cortisol over a prolonged time is impaired immune system functioning, thus increased vulnerability to disease.
-Elevated cortisol levels also contribute to the build up of fat tissue and to weight gain.
- long-term risks for heart attack and stroke are also increased.
-Impaired cognitive performance, learning problems, impaired memory formation and recall, and mental disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety (prolonged in bloodstream)
