1. TYPES OF STRESS
1.1. EUSTRESS - positive psychological response to a stressor, eg: feeling anxious when presenting in front of a class.
1.1.1. positive state, alertness, excitement, not harmful.
1.2. DISTRESS - negative psychological response to a stressor, eg: watching a horror movie.
1.2.1. negative, upsetting, tension, potentially harmful, anxiety, short-term or long-term.
2. CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS RESPONSES TO SENSORY STIMULI
2.1. CONSCIOUS RESPONSE = Is a reaction that involves awareness
2.2. UNCONSCIOUS RESPONSE = Is a reaction that does not involve awareness
2.2.1. THE SPINAL RELFEX = Is a unconscious, automatic and involuntary occurring response to a certain stimuli initiated within the spinal cord without the brain.
3. ROLE OF THE NEURON
3.1. NEURON = Is a individual nerve cell that is specialized to receive, process and transmit information.
3.2. DENDRITES = An extension that detects and recieves information from other neurons
3.3. AXON = A single, tube-like extension tat transmits neural information to other neurons
3.4. MYLEIN = White, fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the axon
3.5. AXON TERMINALS = Small branches at the end of an axon. TERMIANL BUTTON = Small structure like a sac that stores and secretes neurotransmitter that carries its chemical messages to other neurons or cells
4. NEUROTRANMISSION AS A LOCK-AND-KEY PROCESS
4.1. The neurotransmitter is the lock and the receptor site is the key but only for a specific key.
5. SELYE'S GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME (GAS)
5.1. STAGE 1 = ALARM REACTION - first becoming aware of the stressor.
5.1.1. SHOCK - a surge of strong emotions and a corresponding physical reaction, in response to a (typically unexpected) stressful event.
5.1.2. COUNTER SHOCK - sympathetic nervous system is activated, body's resistance to the stressor increases (fight or flight response.)
5.2. STAGE 2 = RESISTANCE - the body's resistance to the stressor rises above normal levels.
5.2.1. High cortisol level interferes with the body's ability to fight disease (as it weakens the immune system)
5.2.2. the intense arousal of alarm reaction stage diminishes through the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system (calms the body after shock.)
5.3. STAGE 3 = EXHAUSTION - some alarm reactions may reappear, but the body can't sustain its resistance; the effects of the stressor can no longer be dealt with.
5.3.1. Resources have been depleted, all used up in previous stages as the stressor has been dealt with for so long.
5.3.2. resistance to disease is very weak, body becomes more vulnerable to physical and mental disorders.
5.4. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE GAS MODEL
5.4.1. STRENGTHS - biological processes are identified such as the release of hormones by the endocrine system (eg: cortisol.) provides evidence that prolonged stress can cause disease, is influential in terms of determining the detrimental effects of stress.
5.4.2. LIMITATIONS - the description of the GAS model is a non-specific stress response. There is also a lack of human research to ascertain that this model is reliable and valid. Not all people experience the same responses to stress. It's a "one size fits all model" which doesn't take individual diversity into account at all.
6. THE TRANSACTIONAL MODEL OF STRESS AND COPING
6.1. PROPOSES THAT STRESS INVOLVES AN ENCOUNTER (TRANSACTION) BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT.
6.1.1. ALSO PROPOSES THAT STRESS IS DEPENDENT ON THE INDIVIDUAL'S EVALUATIONS (APPRAISALS) OF THE RELIANCE OF THEIR ABILITY TO COPE WITH A STRESSOR.
6.2. PRIMARY APPRAISAL - we evaluate or judge the significance of the event and whether anything is at stake in this encounter.
6.2.1. irrelevant?
6.2.1.1. harm/loss = assess threat or damage already been done.
6.2.2. benign (positive?)
6.2.2.1. threat = assess possible additional harm in the future.
6.2.3. stressful?
6.2.3.1. challenge = assess opportunity for a positive outcome.
6.3. SECONDARY APPRAISAL - evaluate our ability to control our overcome the situation in which we find ourselves in (coping skills.)
6.3.1. what can be done about it?
6.3.2. how am I going to deal with this?
6.3.3. what can I use or call upon to help me cope?
6.4. COPING RESOURCES ARE INADEQUATE OR COPING RESOURCES ARE ADEQUATE.
6.5. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
6.5.1. S = doesn't overlook the psychological aspects of stress and coping with stressors.
6.5.2. focuses on the psychological determinants of the stress responses that we have control over.
6.5.3. explains why all individuals respond to stressors in unique ways.
6.5.4. L = it's difficult to test through experimental research as a result of the subjective nature of stress and responses to stress.
6.5.5. the causes and factors of stress may be unknown.
6.5.6. overlooks the physiological responses to stressors.
7. INHIBITORY EFFECT = Block or prevents postsynaptic neurons from firing
7.1. GAMMA-AMINO BUTYRIC ACID (GABA) = Primary neurotransmitter in the CNS. It works throughout the brain to make postsynaptic neurons less firing.
8. ROLES OF DIFFERENT DIVISIONS
8.1. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM = It comprises of the brain and its extension, the spinal cord. Its main function is to process information received from the body's internal and external environments to activate appropriate responses
8.2. PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM = Is the entire network of nervous located outside the central nervous system. Its main functions are to: carry information to the CNS from the body's muscles, organs and glands and from sensory organs. It also carries informtation from the CNS to the body's muscles, organs and glands
8.2.1. SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM = subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. comprises of a network of nerves that carries information to the CNS and motor information is received at sensory receptor sites in the body and carried along sensory neural pathways.
8.2.1.1. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM = subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Connects the CNS to the body's internal organs and glands providing feedback to the brain.
8.2.1.1.1. SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM = activates interval muscles, organs and glands to prepare the body for vigorous activity
9. SOURCES OF STRESS
9.1. Acculturative stress - experienced when individuals are trying to adapt to a new culture when living in it for a considerable period of time. Eg: moving to a new country.
9.1.1. Daily pressures - type of stressor involving a little problem of everyday living that is an irritant, aka a hassle. Eg: work or school pressures.
9.1.1.1. Life event - a type of stressor in everyday life involving change that forces an individual to adapt to new circumstances, eg: the death of a loved one.
9.1.1.1.1. MAJOR STRESSORS - an event that is extraordinarily stressful or disturbing to almost everyone who experiences it; could be a one-off event such as being a victim of violent crime or more long-term such as terminal illness.
10. STRESS AS A BIOLOGICAL PROCESS
10.1. FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE RESPONSE
10.1.1. FIGHT = confront and fight off the threat
10.1.2. FLIGHT = escape the threat by running away and seeking safety
10.1.3. FREEZE = keeping still and silent, avoiding detection
10.2. THE F-F-F RESPONSE IS INITIATED BY THE SYMPATHETIC AND PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEMS
10.2.1. CHANGES EXPERIENCED (PHYSIOLOGICAL)
10.2.1.1. increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate.
10.2.1.2. increased glucose secretion, pupil dilation, suppression of functions such as sex drive and digestion.
10.2.1.3. redistribution of blood flow away from places where it isn't needed (eg: the skin, spleen, stomach, intestines) to where it is needed (eg: the lungs and the heart to pump blood)
10.3. ROLE OF CORTISOL
10.3.1. Cortisol = a hormone that helps the body to respond to stress.
10.3.1.1. HPA AXIS IS ACTIVATED IF A STRESSOR PERSISTS AND THIS RESULTS IN THE RELEASE OF CORTISOL -->
10.3.1.1.1. THE HPA AXIS
10.3.1.1.2. HYPOTHALAMUS STIMULATES THE PITUITARY GLAND
10.3.1.1.3. ACTH IS RELEASED THROUGH THE BLOODSTREAM
10.3.1.1.4. THE ADRENAL GLANDS RELEASE CORTISOL
10.3.1.2. ENERGISES THE BODY BY INCREASING ENERGY SUPPLIES SUCH AS BLOOD SUGAR, ENHANCING METABOLISM.
10.3.1.3. HAS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS BY BLOCKING THE ACTIVITY OF THE WHITE BLOOD CELLS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO INFLAMMATION
11. ROLES OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS
11.1. SYNAPSE = Site where communication occurs between adjacent neurons
11.2. NEUROTRANSMITTERS = Is a chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message to other neurons or cells in the muscles and organs
12. EXCITATORY EFFECT = Stimulates or activates postsynaptic neurons to perform their functions
12.1. GLUTAMATE (GLU) = Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. Glutamate enhances information transmission by making the post synaptic neuron more likely to fire.
13. HOW INTFERENCE TO NEUROTRANSMITTER FUNCTION CAN AFFECT NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTIOING
13.1. PARKINSONS DISEASE = Is a chronic and degenerative neurological condition that affects both motor and non-motor functions.
13.2. ROLE OF DOPAMINE = Dopamine from substania nigra carries messages that allow smooth and coordinated function of the body's movements and muscles.
13.2.1. If there are fewer neurons in the substantia nigra, less dopamine will be produced which means that bran structures such as the basal ganglia and the motor cortex that are involved in planning and coordinating movements receive slower, fewer and irregular dopamine messages about motor activity.
13.3. SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSONS DISEASE
13.3.1. MOTOR SYMPTOMS
13.3.1.1. 1. TREMOR = Involving continuous, involuntary shaking of the body 2. BRADYKINESIA = Slowness of voluntary movement, when initiating and executing movement in preforming repetitive movements 3. MUSCLE RIGIDITY = "stiff muscles", muscles seem unable to relax and are tight even when at rest 4. POSTURAL INSTABILITY = Difficulty maintaining an upright posture and a steady balanced position
13.4. NON-MOTOR SYMPTOMS
13.4.1. 1. SPEECH PROBLEMS = verbal fluency 2. DECREASE OR LOSS SENSE OF SMELL 3. DISTRUBED TEMPERATURE REGULATION 4. DISTRUBED SLEEP
14. STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH STRESS
14.1. coping = a process involving cognitive and behavioural efforts to manage specific stressors that can be appraised in stressful situations.
14.1.1. coping strategies = a specific method, behavioural or psychological, that people use to manage or reduce the stress produced by a stressor.
14.1.1.1. context-specific effectiveness = when there is a match or "good" stressful situation. eg: a coping strategy that aims to focus on positive strategies such as planning, studying and time management.
14.1.1.2. exercise = planned physical activity that is performed to maintain one's physical health; releases endorphins and therefore decreases stress levels.
14.2. coping flexibility = the ability to effectively modify or adjust one's coping strategies according to the demands of different stressful situations.
14.2.1. DRUGS/ALCOHOL = are used by many individuals to cope, however, they only provide immediately and temporary relief.
14.3. APPROACH VS AVOIDANCE COPING
14.3.1. approach strategies = deal directly wit the stressor, eg: searching for a new job after losing your old job.
14.3.2. avoidant strategies = deal with the stressor indirectly, eg: ignoring stress or pain.