stress less 2 stress response - The Grange School Blogs

The Stress ResponseBATS -All must be able to order the features ofthe sympathomedullary pathway (SAM)and pituitary-adrenal system (HPA) (E)Most should be able to describe theeffects of SAM and HPA on the body (D)Some could explain how SAM preparesthe body for fight or flight and relate to theevolutionary approach (C)

What is stress?• Stress is the response to a threatwe feel we cannot cope with.What are stressors?Internal or external factors that arethreatening and have the potential tocause a stress response e.g heat, trafficjam, exams, phobia, illness, accidents

Stress Questionnaire• Now we have considered what stressis…..• I would like you to think about yourbehaviour in the last few months and fillout the questionnaire.• We will then work out your scores.

FemaleMaleMean Score Mean ScoreAre there individual differences? Were more males more or less stressed thanfemales?

Evaluation of questionnaire• Is this a valid way of measuring stress?• What are the flaws?• Subjective – open to interpretation• Time dependent• Requires honesty• Not actually measuring stress / stress response• What could be an alternative methods?

What causes you stress?

How does stress makeyou feel?Discuss all the feelings you getwhen you are feeling stressedYou have these feelingsbecause the body is respondingto the stressful situation andpreparing for you to cope.

GAS – Theory of stress response1930’S Hans SelyeExperimenting on rats – observed that the ratsshowed distinctive physiological changes due todaily injections and other noxious agents (over afew months).Changes included development of stomach ulcers(a stress symptom)Selye reported the injections were harmless – thusthe process was causing stress.

Conclusion: physiological reaction was due to theunpleasant stimulus(stressor) and was causinga stress response.Changes, e.g. stomach ulcer, due to prolongedstressor in a situation of low control – does thisoccur in our society?This is where stress is problematic and can lead tosimilar and worse physiological changes

How do werespond tostressfulsituations?

Physiological Stress ResponseSudden and severe stress generally produces:Increase in heart rateAlterations in digestive activitySkin becomes paleSweating increasesMuscular tremorsThese responses are produced by thesympathomedullary pathway (SAM) andhypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) also know asthe pituitary - adrenal system (PAS)www.psychlotron.org.uk

Physiological Stress ResponseHypothalamusPituitary glandSympatheticgangliaThe stress responseoccurs when we areexposed to some sort ofthreat.It involves co-ordinatedresponses from anumber of differentsystems and structureswww.psychlotron.org.ukAdrenal cortexAdrenal MedullaFinish

HypothalamusPituitary glandSympatheticgangliaAdrenal cortexAdrenal MedullaThe HypothalamusThe hypothalamus is incharge of the stressresponse.When a stress responseis triggered, it sendssignals to two otherstructures: the pituitarygland, and thesympathetic ganglia.www.psychlotron.org.ukFinish

HypothalamusPituitary glandSympatheticgangliaThe Pituitary GlandThe pituitary glandcontrols the glands ofthe endocrine system.When activated by thehypothalamus itreleases ACTH, whichactivates the adrenalcortex.www.psychlotron.org.ukAdrenal cortexAdrenal MedullaFinish

HypothalamusPituitary glandSympatheticgangliaAdrenal cortexAdrenal MedullaThe Sympathetic GangliaThe sympathetic gangliaare connected to theinternal organs. Whenactivated they affect thefunctioning of the lungs,heart and digestivesystem.They are also connectedto the adrenal medullawww.psychlotron.org.ukFinish

HypothalamusPituitary glandSympatheticgangliaThe Adrenal CortexThe adrenal cortexreleases chemicalscalled corticosteriods.These have a number offunctions includingreleasing stored glucoseand controlling swellingafter injury.www.psychlotron.org.ukAdrenal cortexAdrenal MedullaFinish

HypothalamusPituitary glandSympatheticgangliaThe Adrenal MedullaThe adrenal medullareleases adrenaline.This hormone stimulatesthe sympathetic ganglia,keeping their activity at ahigh level.www.psychlotron.org.ukAdrenal cortexAdrenal MedullaFinish

Fight or Flight ResponseIncreaseoxygen intakeRelease storedglucoseDivert resourcesaway fromdigestionwww.psychlotron.org.ukReady to expend energy,either by fighting or by running away

The Fight or Flight ResponseAn early evolutionary adaptation that isuseful in dealing with physical threatsHelps us deal with short-term problemsthat can be solved by fighting or runningUnfortunately, many of the threats we facein our society do not fall into thesecategories…www.psychlotron.org.uk

The Autonomic Nervous SystemThe position of theHypothalamus

HPA axis(chronic)SAM (acute)

stressorhypothalamusPituitary glandAdrenal cortexcortisolHPA axisSympatheticbranch of ANSAdrenal medullaAdrenaline andnoradrenalineSAM

Over to you …Create a role play or poster to show thebiological response to stress

PlenaryComplete the worksheet on the stress responseHomework – Stress response worksheetor Summarise the biological response tostress (HPA and SMP) in 100 words each• Use diagrams/flow charts to illustrate this.• The best way to learn this tricky topic is toteach someone else!!!