Stress Chronic Stress by Age

Stress Stress the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging

Stressors Catastrophic Events Life Changes Chronic Stressors Daily Hassles Conflicts

Stress General Adaptation Syndrome resistance Phase 1 Alarm reaction (mobilize resources) Phase 2 Resistance (cope with stressor) Phase 3 Exhaustion (reserves depleted) The body’s resistance to stress can last only so long before exhaustion sets in Stressor occurs General Adaptation Syndrome Selye’s concept of the body’s adaptive response to stress in three stages

Stress and Disease Psychophysiological Illness mind-body” illness any stress-related physical illness some forms of hypertension some headaches Cardiovascular Disease Reduced immune defense Negative Emotions

poor nutrition and sleep) Stress and Disease Negative emotions and health-related consequences Unhealthy behaviors (smoking, drinking, poor nutrition and sleep) Persistent stressors and negative emotions Release of stress hormones Heart disease Immune suppression Autonomic nervous system effects (headaches, hypertension)

Stress and the Heart Hopelessness scores Heart attack Death 3.5 3 2.5 1.5 1 0.5 Heart attack Death Low risk Moderate risk High risk Men who feel extreme hopelessness are at greater risk for heart attacks and early death

Dealing with Stress: Perceived Control External Locus of Control outside forces, fate, or chance Internal Locus of Control we control most things

Serenity Prayer God, grant me the serenity: To accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference.

Dealing with Stress Problem-focused Coping: directly changing or managing stressors Emotion-focused Coping: changing the way we view a stressor

Emotion-focused Coping & Stress Appraisal Stressful event (tough math test) Threat (“Yikes! This is beyond me!”) Challenge (“I’ve got to apply all I know”) Panic, freeze up Aroused, focused Appraisal Response

Dealing with Stress Relaxation Optimism Hobbies Outside Support Depression score 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Before treatment evaluation After treatment No-treatment group Aerobic exercise Relaxation treatment Relaxation Optimism Hobbies Outside Support Spirituality Exercise

Promoting Health The religion factor is multi-dimensional Religious involvement Healthy behaviors (less smoking, drinking) Social support (faith communities, marriage) Positive emotions (less stress, anxiety) Better health (less immune system suppression, stress hormones, and suicide)

Level of social support Life events Tendency toward Health Illness Personal appraisal Challenge Threat Personality type Easy going Nondepressed Optimistic Hostile Depressed Pessimistic Personal habits Nonsmoking Regular exercise Good nutrition Smoking Sedentary Poor nutrition Level of social support Close, enduring Lacking