Psci 102- Pages 13-`20 SG

Why should we care about stress and physical health?

Stress affects the immune system and increases risk for physical illnesses, like cardiovascular disease and brain cell damage.

What is stress?

Biological and psychological responses to demands that challenge our coping capacity.

When does stress occur?

When demands exceed our ability to cope emotionally or physically.

What are key characteristics of stressors?

• Severity

• Chronicity

• Timing

• Proximity (personal relevance)

• Expectedness

• Controllability

How does stress affect physical health?

Suppresses immune function, increases cardiovascular risks, damages brain cells, accelerates aging.

What is cortisol?

A hormone released by adrenal glands during stress.
+ Benefits: Prepares the body for fight-or-flight.
– Drawbacks: Chronic levels damage the hippocampus and suppress the immune system.

What is an Adjustment Disorder?

motional/behavioral response to a common stressor (e.g., job loss, divorce) with excessive distress or impairment.

What is the DSM-5 Criteria: Adjustment Disorder?

• Not another mental disorder

• Not normal bereavement

• Symptoms start within 3 months of the stressor

• More distress/dysfunction than expected

What is PTSD?

Intrusive memories, withdrawal, and hyperarousal following a traumatic event.

PTSD Prevalence, Gender, Comorbidity, Onset

Lifetime prevalence: 6.8%

• 3:1 female:male

• Comorbid with depression, anxiety, substance use

• Onset: varies

What causes PTSD?:Biological

• Smaller hippocampus

• High cortisol in women

• Dopamine gene involvement

What causes PTSD?:Psychological

• High neuroticism

• Family history

• Low social support

• Negative trauma beliefs

• Minority status

What are PTSD treatments?

• CBT

• Exposure therapy / Prolonged exposure

• EMDR (eye movement desensitization)

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

• Relaxation techniques

• Meds: antidepressants, antipsychotics (limited effect)

What is Acute Stress Disorder? How does it differ from PTSD?

• Occurs within 4 weeks of trauma

• Lasts 2–30 days

• PTSD lasts longer and has more enduring symptoms

What’s the difference between fear and anxiety?

Fear: Immediate response to danger (fight-or-flight)
Anxiety: Diffuse, future-oriented worry without immediate threat

What defines something as an anxiety disorder?

Persistent, unrealistic fear or anxiety causing distress or functional impairment.

What are the commonalities among anxiety disorders?

• Genetic vulnerability

• Biological and psychological causes

• Avoidance behaviors

What is a specific phobia? DSM Criteria

mmediate fear about specific object/situation

Avoidance or intense distress

Lasts 6+ months

Out of proportion

Causes dysfunction

Subtypes:

Animals, natural environment, blood-injection-injury, situational, other

Specific Phobia Stats & Causes

• 12% lifetime prevalence

• More common in women

• Often comorbid with other fears

• Onset: childhood/adolescence
  Causes:

• Learned behavior

• Evolutionary preparedness

• Genetics

What is Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)? DSM Criteria

Fear of being judged/scrutinized

Avoidance or distress in social settings

Symptoms for 6+ months

Out of proportion

Causes dysfunction

SAD Stats & Causes

• 12% lifetime prevalence

• 60:40 female:male

• Highly comorbid with other anxiety disorders

• Onset: adolescence
  Causes:

• Genetic predisposition

• Learned experiences (e.g., rejection)

• Cognitive biases

Treatment:

• Exposure therapy + cognitive restructuring

What is a panic attack?

Sudden intense fear with physical symptoms (e.g., heart racing, dizziness, chills, fear of dying). 4+ symptoms peak within minutes.

What is Panic Disorder? DSM Criteria

• Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks

• At least 1 month of worry or behavior change

• Not due to substance or another disorder

What is Agoraphobia? DSM Criteria

• Fear of 2+ situations where escape may be hard

• Avoided or endured with fear

• Lasts 6+ months

• Causes dysfunction

• Not explained by another disorder

Stats for Panic Disorder/Agoraphobia

• 4.7% lifetime prevalence

• More common in women

• Often comorbid

• Onset: late teens to 40s

Causes:

• Genetic & brain abnormalities

• Catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily symptoms

• Safety behaviors
  Treatment: CBT, exposure, meds (anxiolytics)

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?DSM Criteria

• Excessive worry (more days than not) for 6+ months

• Difficult to control

• 3+ physical symptoms (e.g., fatigue, sleep issues)

• Causes dysfunction

GAD Stats & Causes

• 5.7% lifetime prevalence

• More common in women

• Highly comorbid

• Onset: often in older adults

Causes:

• Negative cognitive biases

• Genetic & neurotransmitter differences
  Treatment: CBT, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, Buspirone

What is OCD? (Obsessions vs. Compulsions)

• Obsessions: Intrusive, unwanted thoughts/images

• Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors done to reduce anxiety
  DSM Criteria: Obsessions/compulsions cause distress or interference and aren’t due to another disorde

OCD Stats & Causes

• 2–3% lifetime prevalence

• Equal or slightly more common in females

• High comorbidity (esp. depression, anxiety)

• Onset: adolescence/early adulthood
  Causes:

• Learned behavior, thought suppression, responsibility bias

• Genetics, neurotransmitter abnormalities
  Treatment: CBT, exposure + response prevention, SSRIs

What is Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) ? DSM Criteria

• Preoccupation with imagined/slight appearance flaws

• Repetitive behaviors (e.g., mirror checking)

• Causes distress or impairment

• Not better explained by eating disorder

BDD Stats & Causes

• ~2% prevalence

• Equal gender ratio (different focus)

• Comorbid with OCD and eating disorders

• Onset: adolescence
  Causes:

• Heritable

• Appearance-focused environments

• Bullying, appearance reinforcement
  Treatment: CBT, SSRIs

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Difficulty discarding possessions, leading to clutter and impairment. Different from OCD.

What is Trichotillomania?

Compulsive hair-pulling causing hair loss. Often begins in childhood, performed alone.

How do sociocultural factors affect these disorders?

• Gender roles

• Cultural stigma

• Low socioeconomic status

• Environmental stress

• Cultural expression of symptoms