Stress, Health and Coping

Chapter 14
Colleen, Anahi, Rozhin and Zach

Psychology: The scientific study of mind and behavior

Stress: The physical and psychological response to internal or external stressors.
Stressor: Specific event or chronic pressure that places demands on a person or
threatens a persons sense of well-being.
Chronic Stressors: Sources of stress that occur continuously or
repeatedly.
Perceived Control: knowing you can do something about a stressful
situation.
*Events are more stressful when we think that there is no way to deal
with the challenge.

Physical Reactions to Stress

Fight-or-Flight: An emotional and physiological reaction to an emergency that
increases readiness for action.
The mind and body take action
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS):
A three stage physiological response that
appears regardless of the stressor that is
encountered.
1. Alarm Phase
2. Resistance Phase
3. Exhaustion Phase

Catecholamines

Stress Effects on Aging and Health

Immune System: A complex response system that protects the body from
bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances.
The effects of stress compromise the immune system

Psychological Reactions to Stress

Burnout: A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion created by longterm involvement in an emotionally demanding situation and accompanied by
lowered performance and motivation.

Personality Types:
Type A: Competitive, hostile, always striving;
linked to coronary heart disease
Type B: Calm, patient, less hurrried

Stress Management

Significant part of stress management is Control of

mind.

Repressi
ve
Coping

Rational
Coping

Contr
ol of
the
mind

Reframing: finding new or creative way to think about a

stress.

 Stress Inoculation Training (SIT): Positive

way to think about a stressful situation.
Meditation: Attempts to clear the mind of
thoughts.
Relaxation therapy: Reducing tensions by
relaxing muscles.
Biofeedback: Monitoring device to obtain
information on how to control body
functions.
Aerobic Exercise: Helpful for reduction of
stress.
Social Support: interacting with people.

The Psychology of Illness

The Sickness Response: a coordinate, adaptive set of reactions to illness
organized by the brain.
The immune systems response to an infection
Psychosomatic illness: An interaction between mind and body that can
produce illness
Somatic symptom disorders: Psychological disorders in which a person with
at least one bodily symptom displays significant health-related concerns about
their symptoms, and devotes excessive time and energy to them.
Patient/Practitioner Interaction
Physician empathy, motivation, the role of psychology in health care

The Psychology of Illness

Pain and Activity in the Brain

Placebo Effect

Somatic Symptoms
Psychosomatic Illness

Patient Practitioner Interaction

Hardiness

Self Regulation
Self-regulation: The exercise of voluntary control over the self to bring the self
into line with preferred standards.

Health-Promoting Behaviors
Major areas for self-regulation:
Eating wisely
Avoiding sexual risks
Not smoking

Our Test Question:

In the bodys reaction to stress, the parasympathetic nervous system_________
and the sympathetic nervous system __________.
A)Increases, Increases

C) Decreases, Decreases

B) Increases, Decreases

D) Decreases, Increases