Summary: The Nature Of Stress

Exam #1

Chapter 1: The Nature of Stress
· According to the definitions of stress, identify the components of which stress is comprised. (pg 8)) 1. A stressor or some sort of demand, pressure, situation, or event 2. our perception of that stressor 3. an emotional reactions 4. a psychiological reaction

· Describe the two types of stress and the two types of distress. (pg 9) Eustress and Distress are 2 types Distress: public speaking, abusive relationship

· Describe the Yerkes-Dodson Principle. (pg 13) Too little stress, as well as too much stress, is unhealthy

· Describe the types of stressors. (pg 17) Physiological stressor: illness, injury, etc Sociological stressor: relationships with others psychological stressor: subconscious
- Neurological System- hormones and neurotransmitters inhibit- short term memory, concentration, inhibition, and rational thoughts. Interferes with ability to handle difficult social or intellectual tasks and behaviors. Hormones and neurotransmitters inhibit long term memory of response to the stress experienced. - Cardiovascular system- heart rate and blood pressure increase, breathing becomes rapid. Blood flow increases. Adrenaline acts on B1 receptors on heart, combing to increase blood output. Alpha receptors found in the blood vessel walls combine with adrenaline to effectively stimulate the blood vessels- better distribution. - Respitory System- increased respitory rate. - Immune System- defense weakens, the cells such as WBC are positioned in places where body thinks there is going to be an infection. Cortisol suppresses the immune system resulting in increased suseptability of infections. - Muscular System- contraction of muscles - Skeletal System - Endocrine System- secretion of hormones - Nervous System- CNS PNS • Describe what happens to specific organs during the stress response. Pg 78 • Identify the three glands that are most closely associated with the stress response. Pg 77 - Pituitary Gland-
Identify the percentage of visits to primary care physicians that are for stress-related problems and the percentage of disease and illness that is thought to be related to stress. (pg. 94) Stress-related: 75-90% Disease and illness: up to 90%

2. Describe how stress is associated with heart disease. Stress hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol) are secreted, extra fat is released your bloodstream, and then it returns to the liver where it's converted into cholesterol. (pg.

into 96)

3. Briefly describe results of studies pertaining to heart disease and stress. Paul Rosch, professor at the New York Medical College, found that stress could be more powerful than diet in terms of influencing cholesterol levels. several studies have shown significant increases of cholesterol levels during stressful situations where there was little change in diet patients who practiced relaxation and taming hostility reduced the risk of having further heart problems by 75% Alan Young, a cardiologist at Harvard Medical School, found that those already suffering from coronary heart disease experienced even more constriction of blood