social sciences

definition of stress

a negative emotional response that triggers changes in the body and mind, leading to behavioural changes that aim to either deal with the challenge or adapt to its effects

how can stress affect the appetite

can make people hyperphagic (eating more) or hypophagic (eating less)

hormones of the stress-response

increases secretions of glycocarticoids and those of the sympathetic nervous system (epinephrine and norepinephrine)

effect of increased hormone secretions due to stress

results in the reduction of immune functioning - increased risk of infectious diseases

cardiovascular stress response

increased cardiac activation (heart rate and BP go up) and decrease in blood flow to nonessential parts of the body (e.g. digestive tract and skin)

effect of the cardiovascular stress response

increased risk of heart disease

name two examples of mental health treatments

medication and talking therapies

medication for mental health treatment

aimed at treating 3 symptoms - anxiety, depression, psychosis

antidepressants

based on the idea that low levels of serotonin are a casual factor in depression; take a few weeks to have an effect; can also help with anxiety and eating disorders

anti-anxiety medication

mainly benzodiazepines; facilitate the neurotransmitter GABA to produce a calming effect

downside of benzodiazepines

habit forming so lead to physical and psychological dependence'; withdrawal causes more intense and longer-lasting versions of the original symptoms

antipsychotic medications

work by increasing or reducing effects of neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, acetylcholine) to regulate mood, emotions and control of sleeping & feeding

cognitive behavioural therapy

attempts to reduce excessive emotional reactions and self-defeating behaviour by modifying the maladaptive beliefs that underlie these reactions

five areas of CBT

situations, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings, actions - CBT investigates how these five areas affect each other (thoughts about a situation can affect how you feel both physically and emotionally, and how you act in response)