© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Stress and Illness/Disease Chapter 3

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter Overview Psychosomatic disease involves the mind and the body; it is a real disease, not “just in the mind” Psychosomatic disease involves the mind and the body; it is a real disease, not “just in the mind” Stress decreases our immunity to many diseases and illnesses Stress decreases our immunity to many diseases and illnesses Stress increases our blood pressure and serum cholesterol, thus increasing our chances of having hypertension, stroke, and coronary heart disease Stress increases our blood pressure and serum cholesterol, thus increasing our chances of having hypertension, stroke, and coronary heart disease

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Hot Reactors Hot reactors overreact to stress Hot reactors overreact to stress This type of person tends to: This type of person tends to: –become angry easily –be anxious or depressed –urinate frequently –experience gastrointestinal problems

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Psychosomatic Disease Process involving the mind affecting the body Process involving the mind affecting the body Psychophysiological is used synonymously Psychophysiological is used synonymously Diagnosed as a real disease, manifested physically Diagnosed as a real disease, manifested physically Can be psychogenic (physical disease is caused by emotional stress) or somatogenic (mind increases body’s susceptibility to some diseases) Can be psychogenic (physical disease is caused by emotional stress) or somatogenic (mind increases body’s susceptibility to some diseases)

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Stress and Immunology Stress can decrease your white blood cell count Stress can decrease your white blood cell count A decrease in white blood cells will lead to poor health A decrease in white blood cells will lead to poor health Immunological system includes the following white blood cell groups: Immunological system includes the following white blood cell groups: –phagocytes –T cells –B cells All three identify and destroy foreign substances in the body

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Interesting Research Friedman and Booth-Kewley (1987) cite evidence of a disease-prone personality Friedman and Booth-Kewley (1987) cite evidence of a disease-prone personality –Depression, anger/hostility, anxiety Hans Eysenck (1988) demonstrated personality traits leading to: Hans Eysenck (1988) demonstrated personality traits leading to: –cancer (unassertiveness, overpatient, avoiding conflicts, not venting) –heart disease (anger, hostility, aggressive)

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Interesting Research (cont.) A 1989 Princeton study showed a reduction in students’ antibody salivary IgA during stressful periods (exam day) A 1989 Princeton study showed a reduction in students’ antibody salivary IgA during stressful periods (exam day) Dr. Candace Pert (2003) demonstrated a possible link between WBCs and neuropeptide production; relaxation may be able to increase effectiveness of immune system Dr. Candace Pert (2003) demonstrated a possible link between WBCs and neuropeptide production; relaxation may be able to increase effectiveness of immune system

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Stress and Serum Cholesterol Collect on the walls of your blood vessels Collect on the walls of your blood vessels Can block the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart and brain Can block the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart and brain Studies show that one’s perception of a stressful situation can increase serum cholesterol levels Studies show that one’s perception of a stressful situation can increase serum cholesterol levels

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. More Interesting Research Friedman, Rosenman, and Carroll (1958) showed that deadlines/timelines for tax accountants increased serum cholesterol dramatically as April 15 drew closer Friedman, Rosenman, and Carroll (1958) showed that deadlines/timelines for tax accountants increased serum cholesterol dramatically as April 15 drew closer Medical students had their highest cholesterol levels just before their exams Medical students had their highest cholesterol levels just before their exams Training military pilots showed high cholesterol levels during exam period Training military pilots showed high cholesterol levels during exam period

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Hypertension Excessive pressure of blood against the walls of arteries Excessive pressure of blood against the walls of arteries Ruptured arteries to the heart can result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack) Ruptured arteries to the heart can result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack) Ruptured arteries to the brain can cause a cerebral hemorrhage Ruptured arteries to the brain can cause a cerebral hemorrhage

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Hypertension – Some Stats Blood pressure = systolic/diastolic Blood pressure = systolic/diastolic Normal = 120/80 mm Hg Normal = 120/80 mm Hg High blood pressure = 140/90 mm Hg High blood pressure = 140/90 mm Hg 41% between years of age are considered hypertensive 41% between years of age are considered hypertensive 16% between years of age are considered hypertensive 16% between years of age are considered hypertensive Men > women Men > women Blacks > whites Blacks > whites

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Contributing Factors Genetics Genetics Poor diet (obesity) Poor diet (obesity) Cigarette smoking Cigarette smoking Lack of exercise Lack of exercise High sodium intake High sodium intake Stress Stress

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Stroke Lack of oxygen to the brain because of a ruptured artery Lack of oxygen to the brain because of a ruptured artery Paralysis, speech impairment, motor function impairment, and/or death may occur Paralysis, speech impairment, motor function impairment, and/or death may occur Stroke has been related to high blood pressure, diet, and stress Stroke has been related to high blood pressure, diet, and stress

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Coronary Heart Disease Heart attacks kill more Americans than any other single cause of death Heart attacks kill more Americans than any other single cause of death Major risk factors associated with CHD include high serum cholesterol, hypertension, and cigarette smoking Major risk factors associated with CHD include high serum cholesterol, hypertension, and cigarette smoking Stress and a Type A behavior (aggressive, competitive, time-urgent, hostile) have also been linked to CHD Stress and a Type A behavior (aggressive, competitive, time-urgent, hostile) have also been linked to CHD

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Ulcers Cuts in the walls of the stomach, duodenum, or intestines Cuts in the walls of the stomach, duodenum, or intestines During stress, norepinephrine causes capillaries in the stomach to constrict – thus, a decrease in mucous production During stress, norepinephrine causes capillaries in the stomach to constrict – thus, a decrease in mucous production As a result, hydrochloric acid eats away at the stomach lining As a result, hydrochloric acid eats away at the stomach lining

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Ulcers (cont.) Recent information shows Helicobacter pylori often is the cause Recent information shows Helicobacter pylori often is the cause Antibiotics rather than histamine blockers should be prescribed for ulcers Antibiotics rather than histamine blockers should be prescribed for ulcers Ingestion of aspirin or other anti- inflammatories also can cause ulcers Ingestion of aspirin or other anti- inflammatories also can cause ulcers

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Migraine Headaches Constriction and dilation of the carotid arteries on one side of the head Constriction and dilation of the carotid arteries on one side of the head Constriction phase (prodrome phase) usually occurs about one to two hours before the headache Constriction phase (prodrome phase) usually occurs about one to two hours before the headache When dilation of the carotid arteries occurs, chemicals stimulate adjacent nerve endings, causing pain When dilation of the carotid arteries occurs, chemicals stimulate adjacent nerve endings, causing pain

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Migraine Headaches (cont.) Migraines usually last about 6 hours Migraines usually last about 6 hours About 28 million Americans experience migraines, women > men About 28 million Americans experience migraines, women > men Costs businesses more than $13 million per year Costs businesses more than $13 million per year Cause focuses on emotional stress and tension Cause focuses on emotional stress and tension Autogenic training is very effective in reducing the painful effects associated with a migraine Autogenic training is very effective in reducing the painful effects associated with a migraine

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Tension Headaches Caused by muscle tension to such areas as the forehead, jaw, or neck Caused by muscle tension to such areas as the forehead, jaw, or neck People usually take aspirin, put heat on the tense muscles, or get a massage People usually take aspirin, put heat on the tense muscles, or get a massage

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Cancer Ingested or inhaled carcinogens Ingested or inhaled carcinogens Acquired viruses Acquired viruses What happens? -- T-lymphocytes are reduced -- Cancer cells multiply, leading to tumors and subsequent organ damage -- Stress may expedite this process

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Cancer Patients Maintain a positive attitude Maintain a positive attitude Use cognitive restructuring Use cognitive restructuring Use visualization Use visualization

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Typical Cancer-Prone Person Non-forgiving Non-forgiving Commonly uses self-pity Commonly uses self-pity Hard to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships Hard to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships Poor self-image Poor self-image

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Allergies, Asthma, and Hayfever Antigens enter Antigens enter Antibodies attack by releasing chemicals Antibodies attack by releasing chemicals Histamine is one of these chemicals Histamine is one of these chemicals When too many histamines are released, tissues swell, mucous increases, and air passages are constricted When too many histamines are released, tissues swell, mucous increases, and air passages are constricted

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

An Emotional Disease? Research Research T-cells reduced T-cells reduced Cortisol increased Cortisol increased

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Did You Know? A woman allergic to horses began to wheeze when shown only a picture of a horse! A woman allergic to horses began to wheeze when shown only a picture of a horse! Another woman, allergic to fish, had an allergic reaction to a toy fish and an empty fishbowl! Another woman, allergic to fish, had an allergic reaction to a toy fish and an empty fishbowl! (McQuade & Aikman)

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation of a joint, possibly caused by a faulty functioning of the immune system Inflammation of a joint, possibly caused by a faulty functioning of the immune system Stress can precipitate arthritic attacks Stress can precipitate arthritic attacks

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Backaches Muscle weakness and bracing is usual cause Muscle weakness and bracing is usual cause Constant contractions found in certain personality types Constant contractions found in certain personality types

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. TMJ Syndrome TMJ patients may have: TMJ patients may have: –facial pain –clicking or popping sound –earaches, ringing in ears –migraine headaches –dizziness –sensitive teeth TMJ is usually brought on by bruxism TMJ is usually brought on by bruxism

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Bruxism Stress can increase bruxism Stress can increase bruxism Bruxism = grinding of the teeth Bruxism = grinding of the teeth What can be done? -- Relaxation techniques -- Biofeedback -- Dental mouthpiece

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD results from an extreme psychological and/or physical event perceived as extremely distressing (e.g., threat to one’s life PTSD results from an extreme psychological and/or physical event perceived as extremely distressing (e.g., threat to one’s life Many hurricane and 9/11 survivors experienced symptoms of PTSD (sleeplessness, fear and helplessness, flashbacks, dreams and nightmares) Many hurricane and 9/11 survivors experienced symptoms of PTSD (sleeplessness, fear and helplessness, flashbacks, dreams and nightmares)

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Stress and Other Conditions Psychosocial Illnesses Psychosocial Illnesses –anxiety –depression –physical symptoms cannot be separated from psychological or sociological May lead to miscarriage May lead to miscarriage Increase the risk of sport injuries Increase the risk of sport injuries

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Stress and Illness/Disease