Physical Disorders and Health Psychology Chapter 7 Physical Disorders and Health Psychology

Physical Disorders Can cause psychological symptoms Different from conversion disorders Actually disease causing the psychological problems Psychological problems can make a physical disorder worse Good coping can make them better

Behavioral Medicine Behavioral science applied to Health Psychology Prevention Diagnosis Treatment Health Psychology Subfield of behavioral medicine Psychological factors that are important to the promotion and maintenance of health

Behaviors Behaviors lead to or prevent disease Behaviors impact management of disease- from diagnosis (undergrad thesis- stigma in std testing), adherence to meds, further behaviors leading to worsening or improving health Impact of psychology Psychology impacts behaviors Behaviors impact psychology

Prevention and Risk Risky behaviors can lead to disease Stigma Guilt Shame Behaviors can make things better or worse Diabetes- diet/exercise can work for or against you CF- doing treatments better outcomes, don’t do them-very sick

Lifestyle In general- diet, physical activity etc lead to long term consequences Being tired Stress- alarm, resistance, exhaustion Stress hormones (cortisol)- cell death, immune system Predictability and controllability Diathesis stress model- can trigger psychological problems More likely to become ill, be chronically ill

Similarities Stress Anxiety Depression Excitement Sense of control Can you cope with upcoming threat or challenge

Physiology Heart beat rapid Burst of energy Jumpy stomach Excitement is pleasurable Attribution Challenge or task- certain circumstances would be fine, others e.g., lack of resources Tension, irritability, headache, upset stomach

Stress versus anxiety versus depression What is the difference- Sense of control Anxiety you have no control stress you do-takes a lot of effort to be in control Depression- no longer trying to cope Self-efficacy Our sense of control and confidence that we can cope with stress or challenges Phenomenon in high school- OMG I’m so stressed/nervous… wait a second..

Stress and the Immune System Chance of getting the cold directly related to amount of stress Intensity of stress and negative affect linked to severity of cold Social- less likely, socializing with friends relieves stress Depression lowers immune system functioning Sense of uncontrollability Poor self care Risky behaviors Sense of control may be one of the most important psychological contributions to good health