Stress and coping
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Status: v104 Time: 2025-03-15 Tags: lecturenotes Links:
Tasks:
Content:
Objectives: describe the 2 main pathways involved in stress physiology the SNS and HPA axes with their hormonal secretions specify how chronic elevation of stress hormones imapcts on musculoskeletal cardiovasculat and metabolic systems idenity some of the main diseases and conditions (physical and mental) associated with stress discuss the role stress does and doesnt play in disease, with examples idenity some helpful wats of coping with stress and understand how they work
Take home: stress is comon and affects most people it affects physical and mental health routine inquiry refer to professional support
oberce what stresses you observes how it menifests psychologicalally or physically culivate healthy coping mechanisms seek professional support is necessary
Things to note:
Rambles: pressure =/= stress stress is a response to pressure
pressure is a thing that makes you change your actions to respond
stress is the feeling of formulating and executing a response to combat pressure
chronic vs acute pressure
acute stress response
autonomic nervous system sympathetic nervous system activation hypothalamus ctrf acth adrenal glands cortisol adrenaline and noradrenaline
response fight or flight
Describe the 2 main pathways involved in stress physiology the SNS and HPA axes with their hormonal secretions
SNS pathway preception of stress activates the sympathetic branch of the nervous system causing the release of catacholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) from the adrenal glands and elsewhere
HPA axis hormone cascade ending in the secretion of corticosteroid hormones (cortisol) from the adrenal glands
Specify how chronic elevation of stress hormones impacts on musculoskeletal cardiovascular and metabolic systems
constantly mobilising energy at the response of energy storage more rapid fatigue immunocomprimisation increased MABP libido gastrointestinal problems musculoskeletal problems tension and pain extra sodium atherosclerosis inflammatory response
metabolic syndrome central obesity high blood pressure high triglycerides low HDL-cholesterol insulin resistance
Identify some of the main diseases and conditions (physical and mental) associated with stress
cardiovascular disease diabetes and metabolic syndrome gastrointestinal disorders musculoskeletal problems and chronic pain autoimmune diseases asthme cancer maybe
Discuss the role stress does and doesnt play in disease, with examples
not the only cause can be mostly an additive component
strongly associated with developing mental disorders esp early life stress depression - stress connection
Identify some helpful wats of coping with stress and understand how they work
how do you cope think about it take a few deep breaths make aplan fo action socialise go associate with nature
problem based coping
focusing on the stressor itself, reducing its demands or expanding resources to deal with it learn new skills
time management establish healthy boundaries ask for support
emotion based coping
focusing on the response to the stressor, controlling ones psychological and or physiological response to it is it really that serious challengin g the thoughts
exercise listening to music journalling