Your Body Mind and Stress 1 Body Image
Your Body, Mind, and Stress 1
Body Image • The stress of not measuring up • Forgetting about what happens inside 2
The Physiology of Stress • • • The body as a system Fight or flight General Adaptation Syndrome Stress and disease Mental Health Appreciation for our bodies 3
The Body As A System 4
Fight or Flight • Walter Cannon • Four stages: – Stage one: Stimulus – Stage two: Threat determination – Stage three: Arousal – Stage four: Return to homeostasis 5
Bodily Systems Activated By Stressors • Autonomic nervous system • Endocrine system 6
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 7
Endocrine System Stressor Hypothalamus CRF released Pituitary gland ACTH Bloodstream Adrenal glands Produce adrenaline and glucocorticoids Physiological response 8
General Adaptation Syndrome • Hans Selye • Three stages – Stage one: Alarm – Stage two: Resistance – Stage three: Exhaustion 9
Systems Affected By Stress • Immune system • Cardiovascular system • Gastrointestinal system • Muscles • Skin • Sexual reproduction 10
Immune System • Immediate, very brief enhancement of immunity • Prolonged stress Immunity suppression 11
Cardiovascular System • Increased blood pressure • Cumulative effects 12
Gastrointestinal System • Ulcers • Diarrhea and Constipation • IBS • Appetite – Decreases w/ one long, continual stressor – Increases w/ lots of short stressors 13
Muscles • Tension • Bracing • Orthopedic problems 14
Skin • Perspiration • Acne 15
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 16
Diseases Related to Stress • • • Hypertension Stroke Coronary Heart Disease Ulcers Migraine Headaches Tension Headaches Allergies Rheumatoid Arthritis Backache TMJ Syndrome 17
For More Information… • Robert M. Sapolsky – Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: An updated guide to stress-related diseases, and coping 18
The Importance of Balance! 19
Mental Health • Mental Health Disorders associated with Anxiety • Proceed with caution! • Mental health stigma in our society • Brief overview of disorders 20
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 21
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 22
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 23
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 24
Depression • Changes in weight or appetite, sleep disturbances, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, inability to concentrate, thoughts of death 25
Treatment approaches • Psychotherapy • Medication • Alternative treatments 26
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