Stress Management - Biological Approach

Drug treatments work in two ways

• They slow down the activity of the central nervous system (CNS). Anti-anxiety drugs called benzodiazepines (BZ's) increase the body's reaction to it's own natural anxiety-relieving chemical GABA, which slows down the activity of the neurones and makes us feel relaxed. 
• They reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The SNS increases heart rate, blood pressure and levels of the hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol can make our immune system weak and also cause heart disease. The drugs called beta blockers reduce all the unpleasant symptoms. 

Biofeedback uses information about what's happening in the body

Biofeedback gives people information about internal physica processes that they wouldn't otherwise be aware of e.g. muscle tension. The idea is to give them more control over these internal processes abd the ability to alter them e.g. they can modify the physical aspects of stress then they may become more relaxed in stressful situations. The process takes place as training in a non stressful environment which the person is then encouraged to use in real life.

• The person is attached to a machine that monitors heart rate, blood pressure or muslce…