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Your Body, Mind, and Stress

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Body Image• The stress of not measuring up

• Forgetting about what happens inside

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The Physiology of Stress

• The body as a system

• Fight or flight

• General Adaptation Syndrome

• Stress and disease

• Mental Health

• Appreciation for our bodies

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The Body As A System

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Fight or Flight

• Walter Cannon

• Four stages:– Stage one: Stimulus– Stage two: Threat determination– Stage three: Arousal– Stage four: Return to

homeostasis

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Bodily Systems Activated By Stressors

• Autonomic nervous system

• Endocrine system

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Autonomic Nervous System

• Stressor Adrenal glands secrete adrenaline• Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic • Sympathetic Physiological response

– Heart rate increases– Muscles tense– Blood pressure rises– Pupils dilate– Breathing increases– Perspiration

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Endocrine System

Stressor Hypothalamus CRF released Pituitary gland ACTH Bloodstream Adrenal glands Produce adrenaline and glucocorticoids Physiological response

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General Adaptation Syndrome

• Hans Selye

• Three stages– Stage one: Alarm– Stage two: Resistance– Stage three: Exhaustion

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Systems Affected By Stress

• Immune system

• Cardiovascular system

• Gastrointestinal system

• Muscles

• Skin

• Sexual reproduction

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Immune System

• Immediate, very brief enhancement of immunity

• Prolonged stress Immunity suppression

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Cardiovascular System

• Increased blood pressure

• Cumulative effects

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Gastrointestinal System

• Ulcers• Diarrhea and

Constipation• IBS• Appetite

– Decreases w/ one long, continual stressor

– Increases w/ lots of short stressors

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Muscles

• Tension• Bracing

• Orthopedic problems

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Skin

• Perspiration• Acne

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Sexual Reproduction

• Males– Decreased testosterone

production– Difficulty achieving

and maintaining an erection

– Decreased sex drive– Impotency and

Premature ejaculation associated with stress

• Females– Decreased estrogen

production– Disrupted menstrual

cycle – Disrupted libido– Possibly less likely to

conceive – Increased rate of

miscarriage

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Diseases Related to Stress

• Hypertension• Stroke• Coronary Heart Disease• Ulcers• Migraine Headaches• Tension Headaches• Allergies• Rheumatoid Arthritis• Backache• TMJ Syndrome

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For More Information…

• Robert M. Sapolsky– Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: An updated guide to

stress-related diseases, and coping

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The Importance of

Balance!

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Mental Health

• Mental Health Disorders associated with Anxiety

• Proceed with caution!

• Mental health stigma in our society

• Brief overview of disorders

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Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD

• Occur in response to extreme stresses or trauma

• Acute Stress Disorder: Symptoms last no more than 4 weeks

• PTSD: Onset can be delayed• Symptoms: Extreme fear,

reexperiencing the event, dissociation, detachment, sleep loss, irritability

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Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder• Symptoms of Panic Attacks

– Palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or lightheadedness, derealization or depersonalization, fear of losing control or ‘going crazy,’ fear of dying, paresthesias, and chills or hot flashes

• Panic Disorder– Recurrent Panic attacks

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder• Excessive anxiety and worry• Must last more than six months• At least three of these symptoms:

– Edginess or restlessness

– Easily tired

– Difficulty concentrating

– Irritability

– Muscle tension

– Difficulty sleeping

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Phobias• Persistent fear of some specific event,

object, or situation• Can lead to symptoms of a panic attack• May take great lengths to avoid object of

fear• Social Phobia

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Depression

• Changes in weight or appetite, sleep disturbances, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, inability to concentrate, thoughts of death

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Treatment approaches

• Psychotherapy

• Medication

• Alternative treatments