Unit 3, Aos 1, Dp 5 - Stress Flashcards
Stress
a psychological and physiological experience that occurs when an individual encounters something of significance that demands their attention and/or efforts to cope.
Stressor
a stimulus (internal or external) that prompts the stress response.
Stressor, stress, stress reaction
stressor - causes > stress - leads to > stress reaction -psychological, physiological
Internal stress
a stimulus from within a person’s body that prompts the stress response
External stress
a stimulus from outside of a person’s body that prompts the stress response
Eustress (positive stress)
a form of stress characterised by a positive psychological state
Eustress examples
- winning the lottery
- riding a rollercoaster
- going on a first date
Distress (negative stress)
a form of stress characterised by a negative psychological state
Distress examples
- watching a horror movie
- death of a loved one
- losing your keys and being late for an appointment
Eustress and Distress similarities
- psychological stress response
- cause a physiological stress response that can enhance performance
Physiological Stress Response
The physiological (biological) stress response relates to how the body reacts to a stressor
Acute Stress
is stress that lasts for a relatively short time. The body typically bounces back well from acute stress if the stress experienced is managed by the person.
Chronic Stress
is stress that continues for a prolonged period of time. It involves ongoing demands, pressures and worries that are constant and long-lasting.
Fight-flight-freeze
an involuntary response to a threatening, fearful or otherwise
stressful situation, involving physiological changes produced by the sympathetic nervous system
Cortisol
a hormone that is released in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal (primary stress hormone).
Role of cortisol in chronic stress
It causes the body’s functions to operate at heightened levels, depleting the energy required to fight off bacteria
HPA Axis
activated at a slower, longer-lasting (chronic) response to stress, which induces the release of cortisol into the bloodstream
Hypothalamus (HPA Axis)
(brain structure) à stimulates the pituitary gland
Pituitary gland (HPA Axis)
(just below the hypothalamus) à releases the hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the bloodstream (which is carried to the adrenal cortex in the adrenal glands).
Adrenal glands (HPA Axis)
(at the top of the kidneys) à secrete stress hormones known as corticosteroids (cortisol is most abundant).
Adrenal glands (HPA Axis)
(at the top of the kidneys) à secrete stress hormones known as corticosteroids (cortisol is most abundant).
