Psychiatric Disorders and the Impact of Stress

Overview of Psychiatric Disorders and Stress

• Economic stress is a significant contributor to psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression.
• Stress affects various physiological parameters:
  • Heart rate
  • Body temperature
  • Pulse
  • Breathing

The Role of Stress

• Stress can be understood in terms of three components:
  1. Stimuli: The source of stress.
  2. Stress Processing System: How the body processes the stress.
  3. Response to Stress: The effect of the stress on the body.
• Acute stress can be beneficial as it helps the body reset once the stressor is removed, whereas chronic stress is detrimental to health.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) by Hans Selye

• Stress is not just emotional; it's a physiological response that occurs in three stages:
  1. Alarm Reaction:
  • Initial response to stress.
  • Body becomes alert and mobilizes resources.
  1. Resistance Stage:
  • Continued response to stress in the presence of the stressor.
  • Body remains alert, but energy conservation begins.
  1. Exhaustion Stage:
  • Occurs with prolonged stress.
  • Body becomes fatigued and vulnerable to illnesses.
• Chronic stress negatively impacts the immune system, making one susceptible to diseases.

Alarm Reaction and Its Mechanisms

• Consists of two parts:
  1. Fast Response: Involves the hypothalamus activating immediate stress responses.
  2. Slow Response: If cortisol levels remain high, the body adjusts but risks slowing down all functions.
• Cortisol has widespread effects on health, leading to issues like heart disease and weakened immunity.

Studies on Young Rats and Stress Response

• Research demonstrates that maternal care impacts stress coping abilities in rat pups.
  • Pups with attentive mothers exhibited better stress handling when older compared to those with neglectful mothers.
  • Early comfort can provide a buffer against stress in later life.

Epigenetic Regulation

• Chronic stress can cause changes in DNA not inherited genetically (epigenetics).
• Environmentally induced changes impact protein production, particularly glucocorticoid receptors, which reduce the body’s ability to handle stress.

Psychoneuroendocrinology

• A new interdisciplinary field studying interactions between:
  • The immune system
  • The nervous system
  • The endocrine system
• Highlights that positive emotions correlate with better immune function and stress resilience.
• Chronic stress can contribute to various health conditions, including cancer.

Conclusion

• Understanding the interplay between stress and health is crucial in addressing psychiatric disorders and improving overall well-being.
• Balance between stress and coping mechanisms can lead to better health outcomes.