1. Stress & Health Stress & Illness – Stressors – Heart Disease – Susceptibility to Disease Promoting Health – Coping with Stress – Modifying Behaviors – Positive Psychology Applications & Connections

2. Questions focus of Health Psychology What is stress? When is stress unhealthy? What causes stress? How can we cope with stress? What preventative measures are available?

3. Stress Overview Psychological states cause physical reactions Stimulus, response, interaction Not always bad (eustress) Measuring SRRS (social readjustment rating scale) & LCU (life changing unit) Possible Physical Responses – Butterflies – Urinating – Headache – Skin rashes – Asthma attacks – High blood pressure – Example of 1999 flight when accidentally told plane was going to crash

4. Prolonged Stress & Unhealthy Behaviors – Heart disease – Cancer – Stroke – Chronic lung disease – Studies related to Vietnam Vets – See hippocampus shrink (memory) If we modify (Behavioral Medicine) – Lessen suffering – Increase life expectancy – Enrich quality of life Health Psychology

5. Stress & Illness Fight or flight Definition – Threats or challenges – Responses – Process by which we appraise and cope with environmental threats and challenges – Ex. Test = threat & panic or challenge & focus Cognitive appraisal – Some stress early in life is good for later (parents afraid to let children fail may not be helping in long run)

6. Stress Response System (review neuroscience) – Hormones from Sympathetic Nerve Endings In Adrenal Glands Epinephrine (Epi pin for allergic reaction) Norepinephrine (noradrenalin) – Cerebral Cortex (via hypothalamus & pituitary gland) tells outer part of adrenal gland to secrete cortisol  Hans Selye – General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Alarm Reaction (activates Symp. NS, heart rate increases) Resistance (hormones) Exhaustion

7. Stressful Life Events – Catastrophes Natural disasters Considered toxic stress – Significant life changes Often young adulthood Job changes, marriage – Daily hassles Traffic, too many things to do Burnout Little stressors can add up to be big problems

8. Perceived control – Negative & uncontrolled = bad – Traffic signs – Lines at Six Flags – Waiting at a restaurant – Elderly in a nursing home – Being able to design your workspace Poverty & Inequality – Correlational studies Optimism & Pessimism – Why? Outpouring of stress hormones – Ex. Crowding = diminished feelings of control = higher stress

9. Stress & Heart Disease Coronary Heart Disease – Infrequent before 1900 – Leading cause of death – Study of accountants showed elevated cholesterol levels prior to April 15 th then back down, can predict heart attack risk Type A – Reactive, competitive – More prone to heart attack (through other factors, too) – Secretes more hormones that accelerate build up of plaque Type B – Easygoing Anger & Depression studies Much new research

10. Susceptibility to Disease Psychophysiological illnesses – Hypertension – Headaches Immune system (page 612 has studies) – Stress diverts energy from – Lymphocytes – Too strong Allergies, arthritis – Not strong enough Cancer cells AIDS Cancer – Doesn’t cause, but may influence progression Conditioning

11. Promoting Health Treating Preventing & enhancing Substance p – neurotransmitter, pain receptors, gate control theory Acupuncture – Releases endorphins – Close sensory pathways to pain centers Ex. Light covers in OR Life coaches & seeking professional help Stress is unavoidable, so have to learn to cope

12. Coping with Stress Remember keys to happiness? Problem-focused, emotion-focused, seeking social support Aerobic exercise – Heart & lungs – Moods Biofeedback & relaxation Spirituality Page 622 chart

13. Alternative Medicine Medical practice – Self-care – Folk principles Bioelectromagnetic – EM fields Diet, nutrition, lifestyle Herbal medicine – Plant and plant products Manual healing – Touch & hug therapy, massage Mind-body control Pharmacological – Drugs & vaccines not yet accepted

14. Precontemplation (not recognizing there is a problem) Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance Termination Health Promotion & Modifying Behaviors

15. Smoking – Begin by teens – Nicotine reaches brain in 7 seconds – Arouses brain, alertness – Increases heart rate & blood pressure – At high levels, relaxes muscles & triggers endorphins (that may reduce stress) – Reduce circulation to extremities – Suppress appetite for carbs Tips to stop on page 630 Nutrition – Obesity & weight control – Tips for weight loss page 638

16. Positive Psychology & You Seligman – thinking positively Focusing on what is right with people What are your stressors right now and how do you cope? How does it affect your health? What can you do to promote health psychology for yourself?