1. Stress Management Part 2 NJ AIHA Local Section Meeting November 16, 2006

2. Review Stress:  is the automatic biochemical state that results when the body is required to respond to a physical or psychological demand.  may be caused by pleasant or unpleasant perceptions.  may have positive or negative effects. (Eustress, Neustress, Distress)

3. Review The stress response is driven by hormones (chemicals) flowing throughout the body. They control blood flow, heart rate, glucose levels, and the overall readiness of the body for physical action. Stress hormones are produced automatically by the endocrine system in response to the level of urgency the brain perceives.

4. Hormone Definition

5. Example Adrenaline (Epinephrine) Adverse side effects include:  Palpitations  Tachycardia  Arrhythmia  Anxiety  Headache  Tremor Epinephrine (an intravenous drug)  Stimulates cardiac action during cardiac arrest.  Causes vasoconstriction for treating anaphylactic shock and sepsis.  Acts as a bronchodilator for treating acute asthma. EpiPen ???

6. Chemical Half Life The instantaneous concentration (C t ) of a chemical such as adrenaline in the body follows the mathematical laws of exponential decay. The half life of adrenaline is about 2 minutes. Time Concentration C t = C 0 e - t

7. Review The brain is composed of three basic sections; i.e., the triune concept. Brain researchers believe that the three parts evolved independently over the course of human development. The most ancient structure, the R-complex is common among all vertebrates today and controls basic body functions. The limbic and neomammalian sections appeared more recently in evolution and control higher functions.

8. Research also shows that the three segments are inter- connected but operate within pre-programmed levels of independence. And for some functions, the cerebrum simply cannot override neurological commands originating in these lower segments. So, when crisis conditions prevail, these systems operate almost autonomously, directing the basic human functioning toward survival-based reaction.

9. Out of Control

10. Emotions of the Stress Response  The two emotions specifically associated with the stress response are: – fear and – anger  The science of Evolutionary Psychology hypothesizes that stress emotions are survival mechanisms which evolved much the same way that our physical characteristics did. Their presence in any prehistoric individual ensured a longer life expectancy and greater reproductive success.

11. What is Fear?  Isaac Marks, Psychologist (1987): Fear is a vital evolutionary legacy that leads an organism to avoid threat, and has obvious survival value. It is an emotion produced by the perception of present or impending danger and is normal in appropriate situations. Without fear, few would survive long under natural conditions.  Fear is the unpleasant feeling that arises as a normal response to realistic danger.

12. Excessive Fear The Adaptive Conservatism Hypothesis  Isaac Marks also believed that the excessive anxiety that some people experience may be an evolved tendency to be extra cautious.  In the terms of our ancestors’ genetic survival, the cost of mistakenly assuming that something was safe, when in fact it was dangerous, would have been much higher than the cost of erring on the safe side and assuming it was dangerous, even if it was not.

13. What is Anger?  Anger is also hypothesized to have evolved as a solution to basic survival needs. Anger focuses attention on a perceived threat and prepares an individual to mount a defensive (or aggressive) physical response. Potential threats may include: one’s personal safety, safety of family, and competition for resources. Don’t Have a Cow Man!

14. Self Actualization Esteem and Respect Love and Belonging Safety: Shelter and Security Physiological: Food and Water Regarding Resources Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation suggests that humans operate on a hierarchy of needs that influences their behavior.

15.  An Hypothesis  Our society today is fast-paced and most of our primary needs have been satisfied. Consistent with Maslow’s hierarchy, we may have become preoccupied with satisfying the needs of:  Self Actualization  Esteem and Respect Excessive Anger?

16. Stress-Prone Personality Types  Type A –Excessive time urgency –Domineering –Hostile –Hyperaggressive  Codependent –Insecure –Self sacrificing –Perfectionists  Helpless-hopeless  Type R –sensation seeker  Hardy