Defining, Measuring, and Managing Stress

The nervous system

Neurons

Synaptic Gap

Neurotransmitters

How do they transmit information?

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What are neurons?

Nerve cells◦ Basic building

blocks of the body’s information processing system.

Made up of ◦ Dendrites◦ Axons

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Neurons

Receive information

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Dendrites

Transmit information to other Neurons Muscles Glands

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Axon fibers

How do neurons communicate to other cells to influence our behavior?

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Chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) bridge the gap

Rats in an enriched environment will increase their synapses.

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Synapse (Synaptic gap)

Enable communication between neurons

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Neurotransmitters

Two major divisions of nervous system Central nervous system Peripheral nervous system

What do these parts do?

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What are the parts of your nervous system?

Central nervous system Brain and spinal column

Peripheral nervous system Links central nervous system (spinal

cord) to sense receptors, muscles and glands

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Nervous system

Brain and spinal column Severed spinal cord E.g. E.g. -Sally - knee jerk reaction without

sensation of a tap on the knee Bill - No genital sensations, but has

an erection when stimulated.

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Central Nervous system

Sympathetic nervous system (Arousing)◦ Increases

heartbeat & blood pressure

Parasympathetic nervous system (Calming)

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Peripheral Nervous System

Peripheral nervous system Somatic nervous system

Skeletal muscles Autonomic nervous system

Sympathetic “Fight or flight” Mobilizes resources

Heart speeds up Blood vessels in skin contract Breathing increases

Parasympathetic Relaxation and normal functioning

Increasing one, decreases the other

Theories of stress General Adaptation Syndrome Lazarus’s view

General adaptation syndrome (GAS) 1. Alarm

Sympathetic nervous system starts Prepares for “Fight or flight”

2. Resistance Adapts to stressor Diseases of adaptation

Ulcers Hypertension Cardiovascular disease Bronchial asthma

3. Exhaustion

Lazarus’s View Interpretation (cognitive mediation) of

event is more important than the event itself

Person’s perception of the situation is critical Potential harm Threats Person’s ability to cope with them

Lazarus’s View Stressor + Cognitive mediation = Stress Events do not produce stress - The

person’s view of the situation produces the stress

The “Definition of the situation”

Measurement of stress Physiological

Blood pressure Heart rate Galvanic skin response Respiration rate

Self-report Used by most health psychologists

Sources of stress Cataclysmic events

PTSD - Posttraumatic stress disorder In 1/4 to 1/3 of individuals experiencing

cataclysmic events

Irrational events create more stress than natural disasters

Sources of stress Occupation

High demands & low control = stress Executive rat

Strategies for coping with stress Social support

Durkheim’s suicide study Personal control

Internal locus of control Adopt best to stress

External locus of control More personal control = better health

Strategies for coping with stress Problem-focused coping

Reduce stressor (change the situation) Best for good health

Proactive coping Anticipating a problem and taking steps to

avoid it

Strategies for coping with stress Emotion-focused coping

Manage emotions Meaning-focused coping

Create personal and spiritual meaning

Managing stress Relaxation training

Progressive muscle relaxation Explanation = tense muscles Breathe deeply & exhale slowly Deep muscle relaxation exercises

E.g. Tense and relax

Can be used with biofeedback and hypnotic therapies

Managing stress Cognitive behavior therapy

Changing attitudes and behavior Beliefs Attitudes Thoughts

Skills to change behavior

Cognitive behavior therapy 1. Conceptualization stage

Identify problems Educational

2. Skills acquisition and rehearsal stage Educational and behavior Increase coping skills

E.g. assertiveness Practice Monitor “self-talk”

3.Application and follow-through Put skills into practice

Emotional Disclosure James Pennebaker Writing or talking about traumatic events helps Emotional self-disclosure improves

psychological and physical health E.g. writing letter

Emotional disclosure vs. emotional expression Emotional disclosure

Self- reflection Emotional expression

Crying