Effects of Stress Module 13

Stress how we perceive & respond to events that we appraise as threatening or challenging how we perceive & respond to events that we appraise as threatening or challenging

Why Study Stress? Stress affects our behavior & mental processes Stress affects our behavior & mental processes health psychology - subfield of psychology that focuses on how stress affects our well being and our health health psychology - subfield of psychology that focuses on how stress affects our well being and our health

Responses to Stress

Walter Cannon stressful situations trigger the release of stress hormones (cortisol & adrenaline) into the nervous system stressful situations trigger the release of stress hormones (cortisol & adrenaline) into the nervous system first described fight or flight response first described fight or flight response stress response of nervous system: stress response of nervous system: increased heart rate increased heart rate dulls the sensation of pain dulls the sensation of pain sends more blood to larger muscles sends more blood to larger muscles

Stress Response of the Nervous System Calming of the Nervous System

Hans Selye researched recurring responses to stress researched recurring responses to stress discovered various chemicals caused stress reactions in animals discovered various chemicals caused stress reactions in animals developed the concept of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) developed the concept of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

General Adaptation Syndrome Three Phases: 1) Alarm Reaction – nervous system activated in response to stressor (fight-or-flight) 2) Resistance – stress hormones (cortisol & adrenaline) allow the body to keep responding with physiological reactions to cope with the stressor 3) Exhaustion – body’s resistance to stress is depleted (physical deterioration)

Key Principle from GAS: Although our bodies are built to handle temporary stress, prolonged stress will produce physical deterioration Although our bodies are built to handle temporary stress, prolonged stress will produce physical deterioration

General Adaptation Syndrome

Psychological Responses to Stress mental slowness, confusion mental slowness, confusion general negative attitudes or thoughts general negative attitudes or thoughts constant worry constant worry your mind races at times your mind races at times difficulty concentrating difficulty concentrating forgetfulness forgetfulness difficulty thinking in a logical sequence difficulty thinking in a logical sequence irritation irritation no sense of humor no sense of humor frustration frustration jumpiness, overexcitability jumpiness, overexcitability feeling overworked, overwhelmed feeling overworked, overwhelmed sense of helplessness sense of helplessness apathy apathy

Behavioral Responses to Stress agitated behavior, like twiddling your fingers agitated behavior, like twiddling your fingers playing with your hair playing with your hair stumbling over words stumbling over words nervousness nervousness lack of energy/fatigue lack of energy/fatigue decreased contact with family and friends decreased contact with family and friends poor work/school relations poor work/school relations sense of loneliness sense of loneliness avoiding others and others avoid you because you’re cranky avoiding others and others avoid you because you’re cranky failing to set aside times for relaxation through activities such as hobbies, music, art or reading failing to set aside times for relaxation through activities such as hobbies, music, art or reading

Stress Awareness Brochure Read “Stressful Events” & “Effects of Perceived Control” pages 248 – 251 Read “Stressful Events” & “Effects of Perceived Control” pages 248 – 251 Create a brochure informing others who have never studied psychology about key issues related to stress management including: Create a brochure informing others who have never studied psychology about key issues related to stress management including: the 3 main types of stress (include which is most common) the 3 main types of stress (include which is most common) how the 3 types of stress affect health how the 3 types of stress affect health how our outlook and feelings of control can influence our health how our outlook and feelings of control can influence our health suggestions for decreasing stress (can be based on class discussion or your own personal experiences) suggestions for decreasing stress (can be based on class discussion or your own personal experiences) brochure must also include at least 5 drawings & color brochure must also include at least 5 drawings & color

Stressful Events: 3 Main Types of Stressors

Daily Stress most significant source of stress most significant source of stress Stress can be caused by: Stress can be caused by: typical demands of the day typical demands of the day living situations living situations economic difficulties economic difficulties

Impact of Daily Stress on Health persistent daily stress can produce burnout: physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion persistent daily stress can produce burnout: physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion Burnout can result in: Burnout can result in: depression depression decreased performance decreased performance Cynicism Cynicism daily stress: also tied to high blood pressure, shorter life expectancy, increase in suicide, divorce, & murder rates daily stress: also tied to high blood pressure, shorter life expectancy, increase in suicide, divorce, & murder rates

Significant Life Changes result of personal life changes: result of personal life changes: death of a loved one death of a loved one leaving home for college leaving home for college changing jobs changing jobs can result in health problems – greater vulnerability to disease can result in health problems – greater vulnerability to disease

Catastrophes large scale stress events (earthquakes, floods, war) large scale stress events (earthquakes, floods, war) prolonged exposure can lead to physical and psychological problems – heart- attack, depression prolonged exposure can lead to physical and psychological problems – heart- attack, depression

Effects of Perceived Control

Responding to Stress: Two Options

Perceived Control sense of control or influence one has over stressful events in one’s life sense of control or influence one has over stressful events in one’s life studies suggest the lower the perceived control the larger the potential for health-related problems studies suggest the lower the perceived control the larger the potential for health-related problems

Stress Hormones hormones released in response to stress hormones released in response to stress the body must work to rid itself of the stress hormones the body must work to rid itself of the stress hormones pessimism and perceived lack of control both produce more stress hormones. pessimism and perceived lack of control both produce more stress hormones.

Optimism a generally positive outlook on the future a generally positive outlook on the future optimists have stronger immune systems & recover faster from health problems optimists have stronger immune systems & recover faster from health problems

Stress and Disease: Cancer and Stress Read “Cancer and Stress” page 251 Answer the following questions in your notes: 1)Is there a stress-cancer connection? 2)Does stress create cancer cells? 3)How does stress affect the body’s malignancy-fighting ability?

Stress-Cancer Connection evidence for a connection is not conclusive evidence for a connection is not conclusive two conclusions: two conclusions: stress does not create cancer cells stress does not create cancer cells stress-weakened immune systems are more likely to allow tumor growth they would otherwise combat stress-weakened immune systems are more likely to allow tumor growth they would otherwise combat

Stress and Disease: Stress and Heart Problems Read “Stress and Heart Problems” page Answer the following questions in your notes: 1)What is the difference between Type A & Type B personalities? 2)What did Friedman’s study conclude when studying the instances of heart disease among men? 3)Which type of personality was more likely to have a heart attack? 4)How are anger and depression linked to heart disease?

Type A Individuals individuals who are competitive, hard- driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone individuals who are competitive, hard- driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone more prone to heart attacks & other stress related illnesses more prone to heart attacks & other stress related illnesses

Type B Individuals individuals who are easygoing, laid- back, and relaxed individuals who are easygoing, laid- back, and relaxed