Psychology Chapter: Stress and Disease

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Questions and Answers

What is a potential consequence of chronic stress on brain function?

Reduced sleep patterns

Improved memory retention

Enhanced cognitive abilities

Accelerated brain aging (correct)

Which type of stressor is characterized by short-term duration?

Acute stressors (correct)

Microstressors

Chronic stressors

Major life changes

How does early life stress impact an individual's future stress responses?

It creates a more resilient stress response.

It leads to tougher stress management skills.

It adversely affects physiological and psychological stress responses. (correct)

It has no significant impact.

What is the term used to describe the accumulated wear and tear on the body due to stress?

Allostatic load Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a microstressor?

Daily traffic jams Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of inadequate stress response in the body?

Immune dysregulation Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is important in determining whether a situation is perceived as stressful?

Perception of the situation Signup and view all the answers

What can chronic stress lead to regarding pre-existing health conditions?

Accelerated disease progression Signup and view all the answers

What is one role of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the body?

Increases water retention Signup and view all the answers

How does elevated cortisol levels affect blood sugar levels?

Increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of chronic exposure to high cortisol levels?

Loss of tolerance for inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the 'fight-or-flight' response?

Norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

What effect does cortisol have on serotonin levels in the brain?

Decreases serotonin production Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of elevated catecholamines?

Reduction of muscle strength Signup and view all the answers

What is one negative effect of cortisol on the immune system?

Reduces white blood cell activity Signup and view all the answers

How does chronic stress relate to sleep quality?

Disrupts the sleep cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the amygdala in relation to stress response?

To process and register fear Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is released by the hypothalamus that initiates the stress response cascade?

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) Signup and view all the answers

What does the hippocampus primarily deal with in the context of stress?

Memory Signup and view all the answers

Which response type involves anticipating a stressful event?

Anticipatory response Signup and view all the answers

What role does the sympathetic nervous system play in response to stress?

It facilitates the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the hypothalamus in the stress response?

It initiates hormone release affecting stress response Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a conditional stress response?

A reaction based on learned associations with specific stimuli Signup and view all the answers

How does the hypothalamus influence the thyroid gland in the stress response?

It releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress and Disease

Stress is a major contributor to various illnesses, including mental health problems. Existing symptoms can also worsen due to stress.
Severe emotional stress is linked to poor heart health outcomes.
Stress impacts sleep, appetite, and overall physical well-being.

Chronic Stress and Brain Aging

Long-term stress accelerates brain aging and reduces brain function, even leading to memory loss.
Stress experienced at a young age can have lasting effects on how a person responds physiologically, psychologically, and behaviorally to stress throughout life.
Chronic stress causes irreversible brain changes in animals.

Stressors

Emotional: Fear, anxiety, anger
Major Life Changes: Loss of loved one, job loss, divorce
Trauma: Abuse, violence
Daily Challenges: Schoolwork, work-related stress
Relationships: Family, friends, caregiving responsibilities
Health Concerns: Illness, injury, pain, surgery
Sleep: Lack of sleep, insomnia
Physical: Malnutrition, prolonged exertion
Environment: Noise, extreme temperatures
Substances: Medications, alcohol, drugs

Categories of Stressors

Perception is Key: How a person perceives a situation heavily influences whether it becomes stressful.
Acute Stressors: Temporary and short-term, often intense, with limited duration (e.g., public presentation, traffic jam).
Chronic Stressors: Ongoing and long-term, persisting for a long period (e.g., chronic illness, financial problems, difficult relationships).
Microstressors: Minor, everyday hassles that accumulate to contribute to stress (e.g., traffic, deadlines, unexpected tasks).

Concept of Allostatic Load

Multiple Novel Stressors: Body encounters new, unfamiliar stressors that it cannot adapt to quickly.
Failure to Habituate: Body cannot adjust to repeated stressors.
Delayed Shutdown: Stress response system does not turn off when the stressor is gone.
Inadequate Response: Body attempts inefficient compensation for weak stress response, causing constant exposure to stress hormones.
Immune Dysregulation: Weakens immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections and diseases.
Accelerated Disease: Underlying diseases worsen quicker.
Brain Changes: Structures and function of the brain may alter, impacting memory, cognition, and mood.

Stress and Response

Reactive: Immediate body reaction to a stressor (e.g., increased heart rate, muscle tension).
Anticipatory: Body reacts as if a stressor is already happening despite it not having yet occurred.
Conditional: Learned response triggered by specific stimuli associated with danger (often from past experience).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Stress response triggered by flashbacks and reminders of a past traumatic event.

Central Stress Response

Perception in the Cortex: Cerebral cortex assesses sensory information and determines if a situation is stressful.

Relay to the Limbic System

Information is relayed to the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, the emotional center of the brain.

Amygdala

Registers and processes fear. Also plays roles in other emotions, memory, and decision-making.
Sends signals to hippocampus and hypothalamus when activated.

Hippocampus

Primarily involved in memory processing.
Sensitive to cortisol (stress hormone), potentially affecting memory related to the stressor.
Stress response can be influenced by prior stressful experiences and memories.

Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis

Receiving Information: Hypothalamus receives signals from the amygdala and hippocampus regarding stressful or painful experiences.
Initiating the Cascade: Hypothalamus releases CRH, triggering the pituitary gland to release ACTH, stimulating adrenal glands to release cortisol (main stress hormone).

Sympathetic Nervous System Activation

Stressors and CRH activate the sympathetic nervous system leading to the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine.

Neurotransmitters and Hormones

Thyroid Hormone Release: Hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to increase thyroid hormones (crucial for metabolism).
ADH & Oxytocin Release: Hypothalamus releases hormones that help retain water and are associated with bonding/social connection.
- Norepinephrine (and epinephrine): Plays a critical role in the “fight-or-flight” response, increasing brain activity and alertness.

Negative Feedback of Increased Cortisol

Elevated Blood Sugar: Cortisol influences the liver to produce more glucose and decrease insulin sensitivity, potentially contributing to type 2 diabetes.
Weakened Immune System: Cortisol depresses the immune system, reducing white blood cell activity and making individuals more susceptible to infections.

Loss of Tolerance

Chronic high cortisol levels can reduce the body's tolerance for inflammation, contributing to autoimmune diseases.

Delayed Healing

Cortisol suppression of the inflammatory response slows down wound healing.

Obesity

Cortisol promotes fat storage, particularly in the abdominal region, increasing the risk of various health problems.

Hormonal Imbalance

Cortisol inhibits the production of hormones like LH, estradiol, and testosterone, potentially impacting reproduction.

Increased Sympathetic Nervous System Activity

Heightened "fight-or-flight" response due to catecholamine release can lead to increased anxiety, elevated heart rate, and elevated blood pressure.

Reduced Serotonin Levels

Cortisol can decrease serotonin levels, which are crucial for regulating mood, sleep, and appetite, impacting mental well-being.

Increased Stomach Acid

Cortisol increases stomach acid production, potentially leading to digestive problems like heartburn and ulcers.

Increased Calcium Excretion

Cortisol increases calcium excretion by kidneys, potentially contributing to bone loss and osteoporosis.

Sleep Disturbances

Cortisol disruption of sleep cycles causes difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, leading to fatigue, irritability, and impaired cognitive function.

Negative Effects of Increased Catecholamines

Heart Issues: Increased heart rate and force, leading to myocardial remodeling (changes in heart structure) and a higher risk of heart diseases
Myocardial Remodeling: Changes in heart muscle, including hypertrophy (enlargement), fibrosis (scarring), and apoptosis (cell death).
Blood Vessel Constriction: Narrowing of blood vessels impacting peripheral arteries and blood supply.
Peripheral Arteries: Reduced blood flow, causing pain, numbness, and potential tissue damage.
Peripheral Arterioles: Reduced blood flow to tissues, decreasing oxygen and nutrient delivery
Elevated Blood Glucose: Increase blood sugar due to cortisol action on the liver.
Increased Lipolysis: Breakdown of fat, leading to increased free fatty acids and cholesterol in the bloodstream, contributing to cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance.
Impaired Digestion: Cortisol inhibits smooth muscle contraction, potentially causing digestive problems like constipation.

Suppressed Immunity

Cortisol inhibits immune responses, lowering the body's ability to fight infections.

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Description

Explore the complex relationship between stress and disease in this quiz. Learn how stress can contribute to various illnesses, impact brain function, and affect overall well-being. Delve into the types of stressors and their long-term effects on health.