Stress Response Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the stress response.

Stress

A physical and emotional response to perceived challenges or threats.

Hans Selye

The father of the stress concept; introduced the concept of stress in the 1930s.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A model describing the body’s response to stress through three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Stressor

Any stimulus that causes stress.

Stress response

The physiological and/or behavioral response to a stressor.

Strain

The deformation of the body or system as a result of stress.

Sympatho-Adrenomedullary System

A system activated by stress that increases heart rate and releases catecholamines.

Catecholamines

Hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) released during stress that prepare the body for a quick response.

HPA Axis

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis; a complex set of interactions among endocrine glands that control stress responses.

Glucocorticoids

A class of steroid hormones involved in the response to stress and regulation of blood glucose levels.

Chronic Stress

A prolonged and constant feeling of stress which may lead to health issues.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons, which is inhibited by chronic stress.

Dendrite Atrophy

The reduction in the size and number of dendrites in neurons, often due to chronic stress.

Amygdala

The brain structure involved in emotional processing, particularly fear.

Coping mechanisms

Strategies used to manage stress and difficult emotions.

Social buffering hypothesis

The theory that social support can reduce stress responses.

Epinephrine

A hormone released during stress to support the fight-or-flight response.

Corticotropic releasing hormone (CRH)

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus to initiate the stress response.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex.

Tend-and-befriend

A behavioral response to stress that involves seeking social connections for support.

Fight-or-flight response

A physiological reaction to a perceived harmful event or threat.

Perception

The awareness or understanding of an event or situation that may affect the stress response.

Learned helplessness

A condition in which an individual feels unable to control a situation, often leading to depression.

Chronic disease

Long-term health conditions often exacerbated by chronic stress.

Immune response

The body's defense mechanism against infection and illness, affected by stress levels.

Cardiovascular risks

Health risks related to the heart and blood vessels, often increased by chronic stress.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and regulating the stress response.

Spinal cord

Part of the central nervous system that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body, involved in stress responses.

Feedback mechanism

Process by which the body regulates hormone levels, such as through glucocorticoids in the HPA axis.

Internal/External stress

The origins of stress, which can be from internal thoughts or external environmental factors.

Joint inflammation

Physical health issue potentially caused by chronic stress affecting the joints.

Fertility issues

Problems related to reproductive health that may be influenced by chronic stress.

Weight fluctuations

Variability in body weight often linked with stress-related eating behaviors.

Neurological effects

Changes in brain function and structure as a result of chronic stress exposure.

Stress-induced changes

Alterations in the body or brain due to prolonged stress.

Coping strategies

Methods employed to deal with stress, including social support and personal resilience.

Emotional control

The ability to manage one’s emotional responses, often compromised by chronic stress.

Unpredictability

A characteristic of some stressors that can heighten their impact.

Outlets for frustration

Activities or actions that allow individuals to release pent-up stress.

Genetic factors

Inherited traits that may influence an individual’s susceptibility to stress.

Epigenetic factors

Environmental influences that can change gene expression related to stress responses.

Social support networks

Groups of family and friends that provide psychological and emotional support.

Adaptive stress response

A healthy reaction to stress that prepares the body for challenges.

Predictive homeostasis

The ability of the body to anticipate stress and prepare adequately.

Cumulative stress effects

Long-term consequences of repeated stress exposures, which can impact health.

Behavioral response

The actions taken in response to stressors, which can vary widely among individuals.