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Learn about the role of stress in illnesses, the physiological reactions to stress, stages of stress according to Hans Selye, gender differences in stress response, coping mechanisms, and the effects of stress on the immune system and chronic illnesses.
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PSYCHOLOGY 2012: STRESS - ILLNESSES Role of Stress: • Any change brings stress: revving up of the sympathetic function. “Fight or Flight” reaction. • Hans Selye coined the term “stress”. Originally associated with negative events (threats, fear, etc.) But research shows same physiological reaction to positive changes. (e.g. going on holidays)
Selye identified three stages: • Alarm reaction: heart rate, respiratory rate, muscle changes, etc. prepare body for fight or flight. But in modern life threats are diffuse and often not physical, if stressor persists we go to • Resistance: though sympathetic is still in overdrive we habituate and cease to notice, think we are OK. Eventually, if stressor continues and we don’t have good coping mechanism we go to • Exhaustion: systems start to break down, leads to illness
Changes in alarm reaction: • dulling of pain • pupils dilate • lungs take in more oxygen • liver converts stored glycogen into glucose (energy) • more 02 and glucose to heart • rise in heart rate and BP • spleen releases more red blood cells: more 02 to muscles • digestion stops (more energy available to muscles
within minutes later: • hippocampus active processing event • immune system less effective • liver converts fat to energy • adrenals secrete glucocorticoids to regulate metabolism and immunity but – toxic in the long term, impaired intellectual function
If stress persists or many other stresses: • immune system weakens (infections, cancer, etc.) • intestines become vulnerable to illness due to reduced blood flow to the lining • damage to heart and blood vessels, leading to heart attacks and strokes, chronic hypertension Gender: men respond more intensely to stress but women respond to many more events. Great individual differences. Possible role of early experiences.
Lazarus and Folkman model: • Primary appraisal (is this good or bad for me?) • Secondary appraisal: what can I do in this situation? If “nothing” more stress • Reappraisal if necessary • Coping mechanisms: concrete solutions and dealing with feelings Venting not enough! Need to exercise to rid body of high levels of cortisol.
Hormonal output: adrenaline/noradrenaline, catecholamines, cortisol: toxic Stress-coping mechanisms better with age Personality: easy-going, flexible Holmes and Rahe: stress scale Top Items: death of child, death of spouse, divorce Illness within two years
Most common stressors: Young adulthood • career • marriage • parenthood • money Middle adulthood: • sandwiched generation • job market fluctuations • money • illness • mortality issues • divorce
Most common stressors (cont’d): Old adulthood • illness • pain • loss of spouse • loneliness, isolation • loss of control • money Stress affects the immune system and can lead to several chronic illnesses.
Immune System Changes Very sophisticated, complex system Lymphatic system, bone marrow, thymus, spleen, tonsils, other organs (mammary gland in lactating women). Several types of cells, organized “army” Sensitive to: • lifestyle (diet, rest, exercise) • environmental factors (e.g. pollution) • emotions
Immune system changes as we age Leukemias (many types) Autoimmune reactions: Immune system attacks own tissues Psychoneuroimmunology: Mind-nervous system-immune system interconnections
