Chapter 14

Stress and Illness

Stress and Health

Stress is a risk factor for the development of disease

Stress may aggravate an existing disease or interfere with recovery

Stress may reduce compliance with treatment for disease

Stress and Disease Negative emotions and health-related

consequences

Unhealthy behaviors(smoking, drinking,

poor nutrition and sleep)

Persistent stressorsand negative

emotions

Release of stresshormones

Heartdisease

Immunesuppression

Autonomic nervoussystem effects

(headaches,hypertension)

Chronic vs. acute stress

We are designed to handle acute stress Chronic stress is a modern phenomenon

that has negative effects on our health Hormones released during the stress

response have negative effects when released continuously

cortisol suppresses the immune system and disrupts sleep

adrenaline can increase risk factors for cardiovascular disease and sleep problems

Stress and the heart Heart disease is the leading

cause of death in America Coronary Heart Disease

clogging of the vessels that nourish the heart muscle

leading cause of death in many developed countries

Stress and the Heart Leading causes of death in the US

in 1900 and 2000

Stress and the heart Heart disease is the leading cause of

death in America Research links stress to increased risk

of heart disease Type A vs. Type B personality

Type A linked to heart attacks hostility is the key factor in Type As sympathetic nervous system in Type As

works overtime

Stress and the Heart Type A

Friedman and Rosenman’s term for competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive, and anger-prone people

Type B Friedman and Rosenman’s term for

easygoing, relaxed people

Toxic traits

Pessimism Negative interpretation of events

Hostility An aggressively reactive

temperament Hopelessness

A sense of no control over events

Stress and the Heart

Hopelessnessscores

3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0 Heart attack DeathLow risk Moderate risk High risk

Men who feel extreme hopelessnessare at greater risk for heart attacksand early death

Stress and the Heart

Stressful Life Events Chronic Stress by Age

Life events

Tendency toward

Health Illness

Personal appraisal

Challenge Threat

Personality typeEasy going

NondepressedOptimistic

HostileDepressedPessimistic

Personality habitsNonsmoking

Regular exerciseGood nutrition

SmokingSedentary

Poor nutrition

Level of social support

Close, enduring Lacking

Stress and Disease Psychophysiological Illness

“mind-body” illness any stress-related physical illness

some forms of hypertension some headaches

distinct from hypochondriasis-- misinterpreting normal physical sensations as symptoms of a disease