Stress

Stressor

Any stimulus that perturbs the physiological and psychological integrity of an organism.

Allostasis

Process of achieving stability through change (stable functioning of our systems, response from our Cns and Ans)

Allostatic load

• Physiological cost of adaptation  

• Want it to be low as possible, least amount of stress-on-stress response system 

Physical stressors

Stressors that involve interaction with predator-prey dynamics or physical illness and can be acute or chronic

Acute stressors

Short-term stressors that activate stress response but are typically manageable.

Chronic stressors

Long-lasting stressors that can overwhelm the stress response system.

Psychological stressors

Stressors that arise from grief, loss, caregiving, and career-related pressures.

Social stressors

Stressors related to social isolation, bullying, and societal issues like racism and poverty.

Valance of Stress: How strong is the stressor?  

• Eustress- at a good point and responding appropriately  

• Distress- cannot function, memory impaired, burn out

What does the stress curve tell us?

Role of Amygdala

The brain's alarm center that activates the sympathetic nervous system during stress.

Hippocampus

Brain region that regulates the HPA axis and is sensitive to stress, playing a key role in memory.

Regulating stress response in HPA 

• High concentration for glucocorticoid receptors  

• Sensitive to stress  

• It is unique because it can generate new neurons in the hippocampus 

• Reduced HPA negative feedback/ Memory Impairment 

Perception of stressor

Initial assessment of a stressor as a threat.

Appraisal

whether a person perceives it as harmful or a positive, challenging experience, can dramatically change the stress response. 

Reappraisal

The process of rethinking what the stressor means and how to respond to it.

Predictability

The ability to foresee stressors, allowing for better planning and response.

Controllability

The extent to which an individual can control a stressor, which can mitigate its impact.

Social support

The presence of supportive relationships that can buffer stress responses.

Clinical Implications of Stress: Mood Disorders

• Distorted inconsistent emotional state that go through time and interferes with your ability to function  

• Acute stress or chronic stressor and increase in mood disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Intense and excessive symptoms of anxiety and worry that last persistently  

Inverted-U pattern

The relationship where acute stress enhances immune responses, while chronic stress suppresses them.

Stress Response: Neural Response (ANS)

• Sympathetic division gets activated and happens really quickly when you see the stressor.  

• Norepinephrine, adrenaline and acetylcholine being released  

• Exercise 

• Meditation 

• Social support 

What types of things can alter our resiliency to stress: 

Clinical Implications of Stress: Mood Disorders

Serotonin, dorsal raphe nucleus,

Clinical Implications of Stress: Anxiety Disorders

▪ Lifetime risk ➢Phobia ~13% ➢Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) ~9% ➢Panic disorder ~7%,  heightened amygdala activation,

Clinical Implications of Stress: PTSD

Prevalence in U.S. ~5%, Additionally, they have an abnormally high noradrenaline/cortisol ratio which suggests a loss of coordinated activity between HPA axis and ANS function.