Stress and Health: Concepts from GAS, Holmes-Rahe, and Biofeedback

Flashcards cover key concepts from the video notes on stress physiology (GAS, fight-or-flight), stress measurement (Holmes-Rahe), biomarkers (cortisol), stress management (biofeedback), personality stress links (Type A), and neuroimaging findings related to stress.

What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and its three stages?

Selye's model of the body's response to stress, comprising Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

What is the 'Alarm' stage in GAS?

Initial mobilization of the body's resources in response to a stressor (preparing for fight-or-flight).

What is the 'Resistance' stage in GAS?

The body attempts to cope with the stressor and adapt to it, using resources to sustain the response.

What is the 'Exhaustion' stage in GAS?

Resource depletion after prolonged or severe stress, leading to diminished function and possible illness.

What is the 'fight or flight' response and which nervous system mediates it?

A rapid physiological arousal to a threat mediated by the sympathetic nervous system (with HPA axis involvement).

What is the Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Scale used for?

A checklist of life events with assigned Life Change Units to predict vulnerability to illness from stress.

Name some life events listed on the Holmes-Rahe Scale.

Examples include death of a spouse, divorce, job loss, marriage, relocation, illness, and major work or family changes.

What hormone is central to the stress response and commonly measured as a biomarker?

Cortisol, released by the adrenal cortex, elevated during stress and used as an objective stress indicator.

What is biofeedback in stress management?

A technique using real-time physiological feedback (e.g., EMG, muscle tension) to train individuals to reduce arousal and manage symptoms like tension headaches.

What are common biofeedback targets for stress relief?

Muscle tension in areas such as the scalp and neck, with relaxation cues and feedback (e.g., tone or signals) to promote calm.

What is Type A personality and its health associations?

A profile of traits like competitiveness and urgency; associated with higher risk of stress-related health issues, including cardiovascular disease.

What did longitudinal studies find about Type A individuals and mortality?

Some studies reported a higher proportion of deaths among Type A individuals (e.g., around 70%), suggesting a link between Type A traits and mortality under stress.

How has fMRI been used in stress research?

To observe neural correlates of stress by measuring brain blood flow and activation patterns during low- vs high-stress tasks.

What is the relationship between chronic stress and illness?

Chronic stress can lead to sustained cortisol elevation, immune changes, and increased risk of illness.