Chapter 6: Stress and Health Module 13: Effects of Stress

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Chapter 6 Stress and HealthModule 13Effects
of Stress
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Stress

• The process by which we perceive and respond to
  events that we appraise as threatening or
  challenging
• Is a process of perceiving and responding

• Events stressors.
• Response stress reaction.
• Which of the following is the stressor and which
  is the reaction
• Pimples and a 1st Date
• Stress reaction, stressor
• What other examples can you come up with?

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Health Psychology

• A subfield of psychology that focuses on how
  stress affects our well being and our health
• Some of the questions they ask ?

• How are stress and illness related?
• How do our perceptions of stress affect our
  health?
• Can we control our reactions to stress?
• What behaviors and attitudes help prevent health
  problems?

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Responding to Stress
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Responding to Stress
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Responding to StressDraw this one!!!
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Walter Cannon

• Physiologist
• Different situations trigger the release of
  stress related hormones into the nervous system
• Heart Rate ?
• ? Pain Sensation
• ? Blood flow to muscles
• Fight or Flight
• BOTTOM LINE
• Simultaneous occurrence of Physiological and
  Emotional Experiences

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Hans Selye (1907-1982)aka Mr. GAS

• Researched recurring responses to stress
• Discovered various chemicals caused stress
  reactions in animals
• Developed the concept of the general adaptation
  syndrome (GAS)
• Bottom line
• Prolonged stress produces physical
  deteriorationlike?
• Ex long time child abuse victims have a
  shrinking hippocampus (used for memory recall)

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General Adaptation Syndrome

• The bodys adaptive response to stress in 3
  stages
• 1. Alarm Reaction nervous system activated in
  response to stressor
• Heart pumps faster
• 2. Resistance body responds with physiological
  reactions to cope with the stressor
• Respiration, temperature, blood pressure rise
• 3. Exhaustion bodys resistance to stress is
  depleted (physical deterioration)

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General Adaptation Syndrome(Example Prisoner Of
War)
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General Adaptation Syndrome
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General Adaptation Syndrome
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StressStressful Events

• Module 13 Effects of Stress

What are the 3 main types of stressors and how do
they affect our health?
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1. Daily Stress

• Burnout
• Physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion
  brought on by persistent stress
• Burnout can result in
• Depression
• Decreased performance
• Cynicism

• Stress can be caused by
• Typical demands of the day
• Living situations
• Economic difficulties
• What are some of your daily stresses?
• Locker jam
• Running late

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2. Significant Life Changes

• Stress can be the result of personal life changes
• Death of a loved one
• Leaving home for college
• What else?
• Can result in health problems
• What examples can you provide?

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3. Catastrophes

• Large scale stress events (i.e. earthquakes,
  floods, war, etc.
• Prolonged exposure can lead to physical and
  psychological problems.

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Effects of Perceived Control

• Module 13 Effects of Stress

Can our outlook and feelings of control
influence our health?
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Perceived Control

• The sense of control or influence one has over
  stressful events in ones life
• Most studies suggest
• ?perceived control
• ?potential for health-related problems
• ?immunity to disease
• Does empowerment healthier life?

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Describe the Images
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Optimism

• A generally positive outlook on the future
• Optimists have stronger immune systems and
  recover faster from health problems.
• Opposite of pessimism
• Is the glass half-full or half-empty?

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Stress Hormones

• Hormones released in response to stress
• The body must work to rid the body of the stress
  hormones.
• Pessimism and perceived lack of control both
  produce more stress hormones and hinder recovery
  time.
• Example
• Sickness during vacation vs. FINALS

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Stress and DiseaseCancer and Stress

• Module 13 Effects of Stress

Is there a connection between the two?
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Stress-Cancer Connection

• Evidence for a connection is not conclusive.
• Two conclusions
• Stress does not create cancer cells.
• Stress affects the bodys malignancy- fighting
  ability.
• Those with stress weakened immune systems are
  much more likely to allow tumor growth they would
  otherwise combat

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Stress and DiseaseStress and Heart Problems

• Module 13 Effects of Stress

What do we know about the link between stress and
heart problems?
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IndividualsType A vs. Type B

• Individuals who are competitive, hard-driving,
  impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone.
• More prone to heart attacks other stress
  related illnesses

• Individuals who are easygoing, laid-back, and
  relaxed