Download Your Body and Stress

Your Body, Mind, and Stress
1
Body Image
• The stress of not measuring up
• Forgetting about what happens inside
2
The Physiology of Stress
•
•
•
•
•
•
The body as a system
Fight or flight
General Adaptation Syndrome
Stress and disease
Mental Health
Appreciation for our bodies
3
The Body
As A System
4
Fight or Flight
• Walter Cannon
• Four stages:
–
–
–
–
Stage one: Stimulus
Stage two: Threat determination
Stage three: Arousal
Stage four: Return to
homeostasis
5
Bodily Systems Activated By
Stressors
• Autonomic nervous system
• Endocrine system
6
Autonomic Nervous System
• Stressor  Adrenal glands secrete adrenaline
• Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic
• Sympathetic Physiological response
–
–
–
–
–
–
Heart rate increases
Muscles tense
Blood pressure rises
Pupils dilate
Breathing increases
Perspiration
7
Endocrine System
Stressor  Hypothalamus  CRF released 
Pituitary gland  ACTH  Bloodstream
 Adrenal glands  Produce adrenaline
and glucocorticoids  Physiological
response
8
General Adaptation Syndrome
• Hans Selye
• Three stages
– Stage one: Alarm
– Stage two: Resistance
– Stage three: Exhaustion
9
Systems Affected By Stress
• Immune system
• Cardiovascular system
• Gastrointestinal system
• Muscles
• Skin
• Sexual reproduction
10
Immune System
• Immediate, very brief
enhancement of
immunity
• Prolonged stress 
Immunity suppression
11
Cardiovascular System
• Increased blood
pressure
• Cumulative effects
12
Gastrointestinal System
• Ulcers
• Diarrhea and
Constipation
• IBS
• Appetite
– Decreases w/ one long,
continual stressor
– Increases w/ lots of
short stressors
13
Muscles
• Tension
• Bracing
• Orthopedic problems
14
Skin
• Perspiration
• Acne
15
Sexual Reproduction
• Males
– Decreased testosterone
production
– Difficulty achieving
and maintaining an
erection
– Decreased sex drive
– Impotency and
Premature ejaculation
associated with stress
• Females
– Decreased estrogen
production
– Disrupted menstrual
cycle
– Disrupted libido
– Possibly less likely to
conceive
– Increased rate of
miscarriage
16
Diseases Related to Stress
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hypertension
Stroke
Coronary Heart Disease
Ulcers
Migraine Headaches
Tension Headaches
Allergies
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Backache
TMJ Syndrome
17
For More Information…
• Robert M. Sapolsky
– Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: An updated guide to
stress-related diseases, and coping
18
The
Importance
of Balance!
19
Mental Health
• Mental Health Disorders associated with
Anxiety
• Proceed with caution!
• Mental health stigma in our society
• Brief overview of disorders
20
Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD
• Occur in response to extreme stresses
or trauma
• Acute Stress Disorder: Symptoms
last no more than 4 weeks
• PTSD: Onset can be delayed
• Symptoms: Extreme fear,
reexperiencing the event,
dissociation, detachment, sleep loss,
irritability
21
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
• Symptoms of Panic Attacks
– Palpitations, sweating, trembling or
shaking, sensations of shortness of
breath or smothering, feeling of
choking, chest pain or discomfort,
nausea or abdominal distress,
dizziness or lightheadedness,
derealization or depersonalization,
fear of losing control or ‘going crazy,’
fear of dying, paresthesias, and chills
or hot flashes
• Panic Disorder
– Recurrent Panic attacks
22
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Excessive anxiety and worry
• Must last more than six months
• At least three of these symptoms:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Edginess or restlessness
Easily tired
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
Difficulty sleeping
23
Phobias
• Persistent fear of some specific event,
object, or situation
• Can lead to symptoms of a panic attack
• May take great lengths to avoid object of
fear
• Social Phobia
24
Depression
• Changes in weight or appetite, sleep
disturbances, loss of energy, feelings of
worthlessness, inability to concentrate,
thoughts of death
25
Treatment approaches
• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Alternative treatments
26