Stress
- Created by: Ellie
- Created on: 23-05-13 11:33
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- Stress
- Stress is defined as 'a state of psychological or physiological strain caused by an unpleasant stimulus
- A stressor is a stimulus that produces a stress response, they are not objective
- Acute stressore are common
- Demands are pressures from the recent past or anticipated future
- Chronic stressors are common
- They come from traumatic experiences
- Acute stressore are common
- The nervous system
- This is divided into 2 parts
- CNS: the brain and the spinal chord
- PNS: neurones which connect the CNS to the rest of the body. Within the PNS is the ANS
- ANS is the neurones which from brain to organs via the spinal chord
- Controls bodily functions, there are 2 branches of the ANS
- Sympathetic
- 'fight or flight'
- Blood pressure and heart rate increase, digestion decreases, muscles tense, breathing increases, perspiration increases
- Parasympathetic
- Sympathetic
- Controls bodily functions, there are 2 branches of the ANS
- ANS is the neurones which from brain to organs via the spinal chord
- This is divided into 2 parts
- The bodies respons to stress
- Stimulus is appraised and the hypothalamus is alerted
- SAM system if it is acute
- Blood pressure and heart rate increase, digestion decreases, muscles tense, breathing increases, perspiration increases
- Stimulates the Adrenal Medulla which secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline
- Countershock: parasympathetic branch
- HPA axis if it is chronic
- Stimulates the pituitary gland in the brain, causes release of ACTH, stimulates adrenal cortex which releases cortisosteroids, e.g. cortisol
- Hormones: reverses initial stress response
- Cortisol maintains a steady supply of fuel
- Surpresses immune system therefore slow healing
- Hormones: reverses initial stress response
- Stimulates the pituitary gland in the brain, causes release of ACTH, stimulates adrenal cortex which releases cortisosteroids, e.g. cortisol
- SAM system if it is acute
- Stimulus is appraised and the hypothalamus is alerted
- Stress related illnesses
- The immune system
- System of cells which fight against viruses and bacteria: lymphocytes and NK's
- Kiecolt-Glaser et al
- Whether stress from short term stressors affects the immune system of medical students
- Blood samples taken once a month, before and during exam period, measured NK activity + questionnaire
- NK activity reduces in second blood sample
- ST stressors reduce immune system
- Evaluation
- Other problems, cause and correlation. Only assessed NK cells
- Naturally occuring, not unethical, repeated messures (no pp)
- Evaluation
- Marucha et al
- Punch biposies during exams or summer, 40% quicker healing in summer
- Problems
- We cannot assume cause and effect - other factors
- interviews and questions subject to lying
- Number of different ways to measure iS functioning - hard to compare (R&V)
- Individual differences
- We cannot assume cause and effect - other factors
- The immune system
- Punch biposies during exams or summer, 40% quicker healing in summer
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