A biological, psychological, social, or chemical factor that causes physical or emotional tension and may be a factor in the etiology of certain illnessess
Stressor
The state manifested by a specific syndrome which consists of all the nonspecifically induced changes within a biologic syndrome
Hans Seyle’s definition of stress
What are the syndrome of symptoms come to be known as?
“Fight or flight” syndrome
*Fight or flight= prepares the body for a physical reaction to a threat–hypothalamaus signals the SNS to release EPI and NOREPI, these propel the body and mind into state of arousal
The general reaction of the body to stress
General adaptation syndrome
What are the 3 distinct stages of GAS?
- Alarm Reaction
- Stage of Resistance
- Stage of exhaustion
What happens during the alarm reaction stage?
The physiological responses of the FIGHT OR FLIGHT syndrome are initiated
What happens in the stage of resistance stage?
Individual uses the physiological responses of the first stage as a DEFENSE in the ATTEMPT to ADAPT to the stressor.
What happens if adaptation occurs during the stage of resistance?
The third stage is prevented or delayed; physiologic symptoms may disappear at this point of the stage if adaptation occurs
What happens in the stage of exhaustion?
This stage occurs when there is PROLONGED exposure to the stressor to which the body has become adjusted. The adaptive energy is DEPLETED, and the individual can no longer draw from the resources for adaptation described in the first two stages
What may occur in the third stage?
Diseases of adaptation may occur (headache, mental disorders, CAD, ulcers, colitis)—without interventions for reversal, exhaustion, and in some cases even death ensues
What does the body do in the Alarm Stage of GAS?
- Pupils dilate
- Bladder contracts/spincter relaxes
- Digestion slows and gastric motility decreases
- Immune system is depressed but RBC AND PLATELET PRODUCTION INCREASES
- HR Increases
- Bronchials dilate (to increase O2 intake)
Lots more.. basically your body is responding as if it would need to fight
What are the physiological responses going on during the Resistance Stage of GAS?
The physiological responses strengthen the body to adapt and achieve homeostasis or self protection–> so the individual behaves in self protective ways:
- sleep
- exercise
- leave danger or stress
- seek help
What stage is an intellectual, emotional, physiological, and behavioral process?
Stage 2 (Resistance)
So what if all best efforts fail due to poor defense or protective mechanisms or the stress is prolonged or the individual experiences multiple stressors?
There is a sustained response, which can lead to exhaustion (stage 3)
This is the stage that acute or chronic physical illness or mental health disorders appear
Exhaustion (Stage 3)
What are some examples of illnesses seen in the Exhaustion stage?
- Chronic pain
- Asthma
- Insomnia
- GI disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- HTN
- Addictive disorders
Who coined the word stress?
Seyle
Cascade of events in the body that prepares you to fight
Stress
What is the trigger for the GAS?
Stress
Who came up with The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire
Holmes and Rae (later Miller and Rae)
Who says this about stress: “something in the actual environment may trigger stress”
Holmes and Rae
Numerical values are assigned to life events listed on a scale or check-list with higher scores indicating higher levels of stress and thereby at greater risk for illness
The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire
EX: Moving, losing job, retirement, marriage, divorce
What problems does The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire (by Holmes and Rae) not account for?
- Perception of life events
- Coping skills
- Support systems
KNOW THIS (seems important)
Miller and Rae conducted a study that found that those who react to life stress events (triggers) at higher levels of response are?
Women or Men?
Young or old?
Unmarried people or married people?
Women
Young
Unmarried
(lol when you fit all 3 categories)
What did Lazarus and Folkman do in regards to the stress theories?
They added to the stress theories by INCLUDING predisposing facts that influence how the person perceives and responds to a stressful event
Lazarus and Folkman: These predisposing factors determine if the event is stressful (perception) and if the response to a stressful event is adaptive or maladapative. What are their 3 predisposing factors?
- Genetic influences
- Past experiences
- Existing conditions
Lazarus and Folkman Predisposing Factors: Genetic influences. What are the 2 genetic influences they came up with?
- Temperament
- Strengths and weaknesses inherited from family
Lazarus and Folkman Predisposing Factors: Past experiences. What do they mean by this?
- Learned patterns of perceiving, interpreting, responding, behaving previous exposures to stressors
- Learned coping responses
- Adaptation or maladaptation
Lazarus and Folkman Predisposing Factors: Existing conditions. What does this mean
There are other issues that can add to the severity and duration of the stressor (or multiple stressors)
EX: Physical, psychological, social resources; mental and physical health status; social support; finances; education; developmental maturity; age; coping strategies
Stress and illness: Studies suggest a strong ____ correlation between stress and illness however studies do NOT tell us something. What does it not tell us?
Strong POSITIVE correlation between stress and illness, however studies Do not tell us whether stress PREDISPOSES a person to an illness OR CAUSES the illness
Stress management is using ____ and ___ coping strategies in the response to stress and as daily lifestyle choices
Adaptive and healthful
When are coping strategies considered maladaptive?
When the conflict being experienced goes unresolved or intensifies
Adaptive or maladaptive:
- Distancing
- Diversion
- Blame shifting
- Wishful thinking
- Alcohol, drugs
- Over/under eating or sleeping
- Hitting people, things
- Mistreating animals
- Driving too fast
- Damaging property
MALADAPTIVE!!
Adaptive coping strategies are ____ and ____ & ____ to the extent possible both physical and psychological homostasis
Protective and restore & maintain
Adaptive or maladaptive:
- Meditation, prayer
- Exercise
- Relaxation
- Talking with someone who cares
- Problem solving
- PETS
ADAPTIVE!!
There is now a large amount of data confirming that pets are good for your psychological health. What is this data showing?
Pets may increase your quality of life, and also your longevity and the positive effects build up over time!!
Who are better able to cope with stresses of life?
Those who care for pets, especially dogs and cats
*there are other studies that show pet owners who had an MI are more likely not to die, and that pets helped dropped BP
A physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress
Relaxation Response
HR slows BP lowers Muscles relax Metabolism decreases Levels of nitric oxide increase
What does nitric oxide do?
Smooth muscle relaxation
Dilation of arteries
Increase blood flow
*toxic to bacterial pathogens
What server as vasodilators and why?
Nitroglycerin and amyl nitrate bc they are converted to nitric oxide in the body
Adaptative or maladaptive: Disease prone personality
Maladaptive
Adaptative or maladaptive: Relaxation response
Adaptative
What are three keys to handling stress?
- Change circumstance
- Change perception
- Change way body reacts to stress
Who added to the stress theories by incorporating genetic influence, past experience, and existing conditions into what may influence how a person responds to stress?
Lazarus and Folkman
What is the criticism with Holmes and Rae (or Miller and Rae’s) Recent Life Questionnaire?
DOES NOT take into account the individuals PERCEPTION OF THE LIFE EVENTS, COPING SKILLS, or SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Stress theories: Who had biological response theory?
Seyle
Stress theory: Environmental event?
Holmes and Rae’s original theory–updated by Miller and Rae later
Stress theory: Who had the relationship between the person and the environment?
Lazarus and Folkman