1. STRESS & HEALTH

2. Stress*
Physiological response to threat, watch Angry at Heart Video (second video) What is the response you see below called?
EXHAUSTION
ALARM
RESISTANCE
Stress Occurs

3. General Adaptation Syndrome *
Three stage response to long-term stress.
1. Alarm *
Body releases stress hormones, inc. cortisol
2. Resistance *
Body adapts to threat; tries to return to normal functions; glucose & BP increase
3. Exhaustion *
Reserves gone; immunity & organs fail

4. The HPA Axis – Response to Stress
HYPOTHALAMUS
Pituitary Gland
ACTH
Adrenal Glands
Cortisol
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

5. Biopsychosocial Model *
Explanations in terms of interactions between biological, psychological, and social variables.
Psychoneuroimmunology *
Studies interaction between immune system, nervous system & psychological processes
Health Psychology *
Focus on how interactions of biology, behavior & social situation influence health & illness.

6. What causes stress? Social Readjustment Rating Scale *
Holmes & Rahe research.
Everyday life events rated for their stress potential.
Predictive for illness (exhaustion stage of GAS)
Daily Hassles *
Minor events – argument, lost keys, test
Predictive for stress and poorer health
What causes the most stress for you?

7. Responses to Stress Individual differences Fight-Flight Response:
More common in men
Emotional and Behavioral Response to stress that increases the readiness for action.
Tend and Befriend:
More common in women
Behavioral reaction to stress that involves activities designed to create social networks that provide protection from stress.

8. COPING Problem-focused coping *
Trying to change situation or problem that is causing the stress. Example?
Emotion-focused coping *
Trying to reduce the effects of stress by controlling emotions. Example ?
Individual differences in resisting stress *
Age, exercise, diet, social support, health, genes
‪Jaycee Dugard Interview Video

9. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome *
Response to an extreme stressor, e.g. war, rape, natural disaster, life-threatening event
Symptoms include : anxiety, intrusive thoughts, emotional problems, distracted
Substance abuse & family problems common
Medical and psychological treatment needed.
Video Interview