Effects of Stress Module 13

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

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

Stress Awareness Brochure 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: the 3 main types of stress (include which is most common) how the 3 types of stress affect 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) brochure must also include at least 5 drawings & color

Stressful Events: 3 Main Types of Stressors

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

Impact of Daily Stress on Health persistent daily stress can produce burnout: physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion Burnout can result in: depression decreased performance Cynicism 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: death of a loved one leaving home for college changing jobs can result in health problems – greater vulnerability to disease

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

Responses to Stress

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

Stress Response of the Nervous System Calming of the Nervous System

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

General Adaptation Syndrome Three Phases: Alarm Reaction – nervous system activated in response to stressor (fight-or-flight) Resistance – stress hormones (cortisol & adrenaline) allow the body to keep responding with physiological reactions to cope with the stressor 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

General Adaptation Syndrome

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

Behavioral Responses to Stress agitated behavior, like twiddling your fingers playing with your hair stumbling over words nervousness lack of energy/fatigue decreased contact with family and friends poor work/school relations sense of loneliness 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

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 studies suggest the lower the perceived control the larger the potential for health-related problems

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

Optimism a generally positive outlook on the future 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: Is there a stress-cancer connection? Does stress create cancer cells? How does stress affect the body’s malignancy-fighting ability?

Stress-Cancer Connection evidence for a connection is not conclusive two conclusions: stress does not create cancer cells 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 252 - 253 Answer the following questions in your notes: What is the difference between Type A & Type B personalities? What did Friedman’s study conclude when studying the instances of heart disease among men? Which type of personality was more likely to have a heart attack? How are anger and depression linked to heart disease?

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

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