STRESS__ADAPTATION_AND_STRESS_DIORDER__1__edc1504df13d9e61ecc60e8590982125

STRESS, ADAPTATION AND STRESS DISORDER

Objectives

  • To understand General Adaptation Syndrome.

  • To discuss the difference between stress, performance, and learning.

  • To describe the bio-behavioral mechanism of the stress response.

  • To understand the relationship between stress and metabolic process, growth process, and reproductive process.

  • To identify the importance of stress and its connections to the immune system, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders.

Understanding Psychological Consequences

The focus is on understanding the psychological consequences of chronic stress, including its impact on mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as its role in behavioral changes following prolonged exposure to stress.

Definition of Stress

  • Stress: A negative emotional experience with predictable biochemical, physiological, cognitive, and behavioral changes aimed at coping with or adjusting to the stressful event.

  • Distress: Harmful and damaging stress that can lead to various health issues.

  • Eustress: Positive and rewarding stress which is often associated with positive events or challenges, enhancing motivation and performance.

  • Commonly defined as pressure, tension, and unpleasant external emotional factors which can manifest physically and emotionally.

General Adaptation Syndrome

  • Adaptation: Involves changing standards or expectations; this includes redefining success and perfection to reduce guilt and frustration. Techniques such as thought-stopping, reframing issues, creating positive asset columns, and adopting positive mantras can be beneficial.

Overview of General Adaptation Syndrome

Defined by Hans Selye, it involves a three-stage psychophysiological response to stress:

  1. Alarm Stage: Initial response to a stressor where the body recognizes a threat and prepares to respond, activating the fight or flight response.

  2. Resistance Stage: Ongoing adaptation to the stressor, where the body attempts to stabilize and cope with the stressor, but energy reserves begin to deplete over time.

  3. Exhaustion Stage: Occurs when the body has exhausted its ability to adapt, leading to diminished stress response capacity and increased risk of illness.

Alarm Stage

The alarm stage is the body’s first response to stress as perceived danger or threat to balance. It activates the fight or flight response:

  • Hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol are released, leading to abnormal physical responses like increased heart rate and heightened alertness.

Autonomic Nervous System in Alarm Stage

This response is controlled by the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Cannon's flight-fight model describes how the stress response increases activity and arousal to deal with external threats.

Fight or Flight Response

This mechanism encompasses both physiological (e.g., increased heart rate, blood pressure) and emotional responses (e.g., anxiety, fear) associated with the stress response to immediate threats.

Resistance Stage

Following the alarm stage, the body still tries to counteract the stressor and defend itself. Although initial reserves of energy are depleting:

  • The body remains alert for potential danger, and chronic exposure can lead to psychological and physiological symptoms such as irritability, frustration, and poor concentration.

Exhaustion Stage

Exhaustion occurs as the body fails to respond to stressors effectively, leading to:

  • Increased susceptibility to illness due to the diminished physiological response and chronic stress leading to conditions like hypertension or hyperglycemia.

Impact on Performance and Learning

Developed by Walter Cannon and Hans Selye, stress performance can either improve or detract from efficiency based on the intensity and type of stress experienced. Mild stress may hinder optimal task performance. Chronic stress can lead to health problems and affect cognitive function.

Bio-Behavioral Mechanism of Stress Response

Involves changes across the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems, with stress hormones crucial for energy mobilization during stress events. It acts as an adaptive response in the short term but can lead to maladaptive outcomes if prolonged.

Importance of Stress on Health

Stress plays a significant role in a variety of health problems, including immune system dysfunctions, the development of cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. Chronic stress can lead to long-term health implications, highlighting the need for stress management strategies.