A Biological View

HPS 1040 Dr. Adam J Decker Georgia Institute of Technology

Getting to know your neighbor.

 Defining and describing stress Stress : a physiological response to

challenging situations. Stressor : an event that disrupts a persons natural state of balance . Also known as __________________. Distress: BAD STRESS resulting in impaired performance Eustress: GOOD STRESS resulting in improved performance

Some known stressors (typically lack of:)

Time
Money Energy

Intelligence
Patience Support of others

The Nature of Stress

The biology of stress:

physiological responses
General adaptation syndrome
General Adaptation Syndrome
A model that describes the bodys physiological responses to stressors in three stages Alarm Resistance Exhaustion Return to Homeostasis (stable
balance)

Hans Selye M.D., PhD., D.Sc.

- Endocrinologist and biochemist - Produced the text Stress in 1950 - General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) - Injected mice with various organ tissues and noticed response (noxious stressor). - Discovered hormones that play a role in heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease and peptic ulcer.

The Nature of Stress

The biology of stress: physiological responses Fight or flight response (Alarm stage)

An acute stress response in

which the autonomic nervous system triggers a set of physiological changes that ready the body for action
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Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System Parasympathetic and sympathetic Action via ANS is by dual innervation (divisions counterbalance each other's activities) Parasympathetic division in general is most active in nonstressful situations - rest and digest Sympathetic (stress) division in general is most active in emergency or threatening situations - "fight-orflight"

 Sympathetic: - dilates pupils - stimulates sweating - stimulates medulla of adrenal gland to secrete

epi/norepinephrine - increases heart rate - decreases digestive processes - decreases urine output - stimulates glycogenolysis in liver (glucose release) - blood vessel constriction/dilation. - bronchiole dilation

Hormones and stress

- Adrenaline (also known epinephrine) - produced by the adrenal medulla - binds to adrenergic receptors in tissues - constriction of arterioles and dilation of bronchioles (fight or flight). - Cortisol (hydrocortisone) - produced in the adrenal cortex - enhances the effect of adrenaline - anti-inflammatory - aids in short term memory (flash)

When challenged with a stressor, the body prepares itself to meet that challenge by going into a resistance stage. What happens if more stress occurs and the body is unable to meet additional challenges?

Answer

The body moves to the exhaustion phase.

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Stress and Illness

Signs and symptoms of excessive stress: 10

Are you indecisive and apathetic? Are you irritable and easily angered? Has memory and concentration deteriorated? Are you experiencing increased headaches or digestive problems? Has your blood pressure become elevated? Have your sleeping patterns changed? Have your eating patterns changed? Have you increased the use of alcohol or drugs? Have you developed any nervous habits or phobias?

questions to capture common signs of stress

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Stress and Illness

If you answered yes to one or more of the questions:

YOU NEED TO TAKE TIME TO ADDRESS THE STRESSORS IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW YOU ARE RESPONDING TO THEM!!!

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Stress and Illness

Chronic stress

Stressful behavior: Type A behavior and hostility

Characterized by excessive competitiveness, time urgency, and hostility Hostility component: identified as the primary trait that puts people at risk for the development of heart disease and other stress-related medical conditions

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Stress and Illness

Screening for Hostilitytake the test

I often get annoyed at checkout cashiers or the people in front of me when I am waiting in line. I usually keep an eye on the people I work or live with to make sure they do what they should do.

I often wonder how homeless people can have so little respect for themselves.
I believe that most people will take advantage of you if you let them. The habits of friends or family members often annoy me.

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