Psychology Warm Up October 13, 2011 On the same sheet of paper as the other questions answer the following question (WRITE THE QUESTION)… “How is health effected by stress?” (think your health or others’ health) Goal 6 – Stress and Health

Psychological Factors and Health Main Ideas – Both biological and psychological factors play an important role in medical problems, including headaches, heart disease, and cancer. Question – How do psychological and biological factors affect health? Question – What are the most common types of headaches? Question – What factors contribute to heart disease? Question – How is cancer linked to stress?

Biological and Psychological Factors Relationship between psychological factors and the prevention and treatment of physical illness. Latest studies have focused on how states of mind influence physical well being. Many contributions have been made to the understanding and treatment of many medical problems (headaches, heart disease and cancer.)

Headaches Most common stress related problem Types – Migraines – sudden, onset with severe throbbing pain on one side of the head. Usually have visual distortion and perception to unusual odors. – Tension headaches – tension builds in the neck and shoulders causing headaches.

Heart Disease Risk factors – nearly half the deaths in the US are caused by heart disease. – Family history (genetics) – Physical conditions – Patterns of consumptions – Type A behavior – Anger and hostility – Job strain – Lack of exercise

Heart Disease Behavioral Changes – various medical treatments available for heart disease. – Quitting smoking – Controlling weight – Reducing hypertension – Lowering serum cholesterol levels – Changing type A behavior patterns – Exercising regularly

Cancer Rapid and abnormal growth of malignant cells. Can spread quickly and cause masses or tumors elsewhere in the body. Weakened immune systems are more likely to get cancer.

Cancer Risk Factors – Genetics – inherited from family members. – Behaviors – smoking, sun bathing, eating animal fat – Stress – prolonged stress and depression Psychological Aspects – coping with biological aspects of illness – Pain and side effects – Anxiety about treatment and possibility of death – Chemotherapy

Cancer Positive Attitude – meeting the disease with a “fighting” spirit. – Don’ts Feelings of hopelessness can suppress your immune system making it harder for your body to fight cancer. Hospitalization removes people from their typical surroundings causing depression. – Do’s Reduce the intake of fats, and increase fruits and vegetables. Limit stress and have regular medical check ups.

Activity Create a commercial warning against one of the causes of stress. Your group will be a assigned a health factor suffered from too much stress. You and your group will create a 60 second commercial about what causes the stress and the health factor suffered and how to avoid it. You may use (and SHOULD USE) props, visuals, charts, etc. Choose 1-2 items, don’t try to do too much. EVERYONE should have a role/speaking part and help create your commercial. We will present all commercials tomorrow during the last half of class.