STRESS & Well Being
Aims and Learning Objectives.
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Through class activities and discussion
the aim of this session is to:Recap Physiological stress response
To understand stress as a bodily
response.
Evaluate the body’s response to
stressors.
DISTRESS
can be negative and detrimental
Distress or negative stress occurs when
your level of stress is either too high or too
low and your body and/or mind begin to
respond negatively to the stressors.
W Wilkinson
The Stress Response-Fight or Flight
Walter Cannon
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Is important for survival.
The (ANS) Autonomic Nervous
System
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Branch of the CENTRAL nervous system
(CNS)) which deals with emotion.
Consists of two branches.
Sympathetic- switches on physiological
responses preparing us for
danger/excitement.
Hypothalamus (in the brain) causes the
adrenal gland (near the kidneys) to release
adrenaline into the bloodstream.
(ANS) Parasympathetic Section
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Emergency over
No longer need to be on full alert
Parasympathetic branch of the ANS
begins to restore the body to its resting
state.
GENERAL ADAPTATION
SYNDROME (GAS)
A Physiological Model of Stress
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Selye (1930) defined stress as:‘The non-specific response of the body to
any demand made upon it.’
The response definition in Selyes model:
‘Any stimulus which produces stress
response is by definition a stressor’
IN OTHER WORDS:- All stressors no
matter how different all produce the same
general bodily response.
STAGES OF STRESS
PHYSIOLOGICAL
RESPONSES
ALARM
RESISTANCE
EXHAUSTION
ALARM STAGE
As you begin to experience a stressful
event or perceive something to be
stressful psychological changes occur in
your body.
This disrupts your body’s normal balance
and immediately your body begins to
respond to the stressor(s) as effectively as
possible.
Alarm stage: EXAMPLES
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Cardiac =Increased heart rate
Respiratory - Increased respiration
Hormonal - Increased stimulation of
adrenal genes which produce an adrenal
rush.
RESISTANCE STAGE
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Stage of adaptation.-Arousal still high.
The body is trying to resist the stressor.
System is being taxed to its limits.
Even though the alarm stage has
passed giving the appearance of
returning to normal.
RESISTANCE STAGE
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The body tries to cope or adapt
(adaptation) by beginning a process
of repairing any damage the stressor
has caused.
Resistance Stage
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The release of hormones from pituitary gland
and adrenal cortex-(glands increase in size)
Pituitary activity decreases the production of
growth hormone (child stress)
Lowers body's resistance to stress
Immune system affected.
Ability to deal with infection or physical
damage is reduced.
W Wilkinson
EXAMPLES
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Behavior indicators/responses include:
lack of enthusiasm, withdrawal, change in
eating habits, insomnia, anger, fatigue.
Can you think of any more?
Cognitive Indicators include: poor problem
solving, confusion, nightmares, hypervigilance.
Can you think of any positive behavioral
indicators of stress?
RESISTANCE STAGE
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Emotional indicators include:
tearfulness- fear - anxiety - panic - guilt
agitation - depression - overwhelmed.
However,
If the stress isn’t too great then the body
return to a near normal state.
If NOT!
EXHAUSTION STAGE
WHEN STRESS IS PROLONGED.
During this stage if the stressor is not
being managed effectively and the
damage is beyond repair!
The cost of an unsuccessful
defense against long-term
stress might include
Digestive disorders, withdrawal,
headaches, tension, insomnia, quick loss
of temper, permanently high blood
pressure stomach ulcers, psychosomatic
illnesses, heart disease.
*In extreme cases it can result in Death.
Strengths of G.A.S
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Hans Selye(1958) correctly focused on the pituitaryadrenal system and the importance of
glucocorticosteroids. - (which we will learn more
about later)
Alerted the medical profession to the importance of
stress in disease.
Extremely influential
Based on careful observation
Led to an immense amount of research.
Identified links between psychological and physical
illness.
Criticisms of G.A.S
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People do not always respond the same
way to stressors and the experience of
stressful events.
Ignores the importance of individual
differences.
Ability to cope differ.
Little emphasise on the psychological
aspects of stressors.
Finally
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This is a Physiological model of stress.
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There are 2 other models we will
consider The Transactional Model and
the Cognitive Appraisal model