Chapter 5 Lecture

Managing the Stress of Life

Concepts of Stress

• Stress is the body’s response to the demands
• A stressor is the demand itself
• Debilitating or excessive stress is known as distress
• Constructive stress is known as eustress
• Initially, as stress increases, so does health, performance, and general well-being (optimal stress)

Stress and Perception

• The way you respond to an event is based upon how you perceive it
• Perceptions are based upon your life experiences and immediate consequences
• Experts believe that expectations come from social environments you integrate into your value system
• These expectations can be less than, equal to, or exceed the demands of a particular situation

Stress and Perception
Positive versus Negative Stress

• Distress- debilitating and excessive

• Eustress – motivating

The Stress Response

Fight-or-Flight Response

  • Fight-or-Flight - your body’s natural response to perceived danger
  • Some symptoms
    • Blood vessels constrict
    • Heart pounds sending blood to vital organs
    • Lungs open up
    • Pupils dilate
    • Adrenaline is sent into your system

General Adaptation Syndrome
• 3 Stages of GAS

    • alarm (fight or flight)
    • resistance (homeostasis)
    • exhaustion (illness, emotional/psychological breakdown)

The Stress Response (Autonomic Nervous System)

• This is activated by the posterior section of the hypothalamus
• The ANS excites and inhibits various bodily functions
• The ANS stimulates the production of catecholamines (stress hormones) such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in changes of bodily functions

Distress and the Body (Stress and “Dis-ease”)

• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Kidney disorders
• Depression
• Alcoholism
• Gastro-intestinal
• Auto-immune disorders
• Sexual dysfunctions
• Stress, Obesity, and Diabetes

    • In response to stress, some people lose and some people gain weight
    • Research has yet to establish that stress can be a direct cause of diabetes
    • Stress hormones do impact a primary organ whose malfunction is directly related to diabetes.

• Stress and Heart Disease

    • Research has found a link between marital stress and heart disease among women

• Stress and Cancer

    • The stress hormone, norepinephrine, has been determined to stimulate growth of human cancer cells, thus linking the stress response to cancer growth, but not necessarily to the actual development of cancer

Stress Amenorrhea

• Menstruation stops because of physical or mental stress
• Stress also can cause irregular menstrual cycles
• Fasting, irregular eating habits, or too much exercise can cause amenorrhea
• Consult with your health care provider if your experience any of the above symptoms

Migraine

• Migraines affect 28 million Americans, 75% of them are women (NINDS)
• Symptoms occur in various combination and is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head
• Female sufferers report that migraines affect their ability to control their life
• Causes are unknown, however, there is a strong genetic connection
• Stress can trigger migraine headaches

Stress and Pregnancy

• Maternal stress can be harmful for both mother and expected child
• High levels of stress can cause the following (March of Dimes, 1999):
• Risk of preterm labor
• Low infant birth weight
• Labor and delivery complications
• Miscarriage
• Relaxation therapy such as biofeedback can be helpful

Stress and Lifestyle

• The following events can create significant stress in your life, resulting in possible health problems
• Major Life Events
• College Stress

    • Undergrad women students are more likely than men to report an unacceptable stress level
    • Daily Life Hassles

Impact of Multiple Roles

• A woman is expected to play multiple roles in her life which is demanding
• Society views the woman as the “giver” vs. the “receiver” of assistance
• Stressors are greater for those women employed with children in comparison
• Middle aged women have a unique multiple role which can have a negative impact on her health
• The “hurried woman syndrome” described a modernized stress-laden lifestyle which results in fatigue, weight gain, and low libido
Impact of Multiple Roles (con’t)
• Sandwich generation: Women in middle adulthood are sandwiched between caring for their elderly parents while still providing for their children and maybe even providing day care for their grandchildren. Caregiver stress is the emotional and physical strain of caregiving, can take many forms

    • Anger, frustration
    • Guilt
    • Loneliness

Multicultural Issues

• The following multicultural issues can cause stress levels to rise

    • Spiritual Beliefs
    • Ability to Acculturate
    • Racial Issues
    • Age Factors

Financial Stress

• Attempting to stay current with the use of modern technology is very expensive and very stressful
• Women receive lower pay, offer fewer opportunities for advancement, and have less gains from experience and authority
• Many women are expected to be caregivers and have a job to support the family
• This burden affects relationships with added stress and reduces quality time for many families

Employment and Health

• Evidence suggests that when compared with not working for pay, employment improves health.

• Working Against Stereotypes

    • Women are still heavily scrutinized by men and by other women to determine if they are truly capable of performing their duties on the job
    • Women competing against these stereotypes are often forced to become super achievers or “Type A” people.

• Type A women have a greater frequency of illness and higher blood pressure than non-Type A women.

Environmental Stress

• Many elements in the environment can produce stress, especially with women who tend to be sensitive towards stressors vs. men
• Examples of environmental stressors are:
• Overcrowding
• Chemical toxins
• Pollutants
• Noise
• Crime

Stress and Anxiety

• Specific phobia is the most common anxiety disorder.

• The most effective mental health treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy

• A combination of mental health treatment and drug therapy usually gets the best results in early stages of treatment. As the mental health treatment progresses, one goal is for the client to no longer need drug therapy.


Stress and Trauma

• The stress reaction from trauma experience can take on a variety of manifestations

    • Heightened startle/fear
    • Anxiety and panic attacks
    • Distancing from friends and family
    • Avoidance of strangers in a crowded place

• Women in Combat
The war in the Middle East no longer has a traditional front line and women are becoming involved in lethal combat roles. These female troops appear more prone to post-traumatic stress disorder than their male counterparts

    • Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD
    • Women are more likely to experience sexual assault
    • Women may be more likely to blame themselves for trauma experiences

Coping Skills for Stress: Prevention, Management, and Treatment

• Cognitive appraisal
• Nutrition
• Use of Herbs
• Reflexology
• Acupressure and Acupuncture
• Exercise
• Tai Chi
• Time Management
• Body Awareness
• Relaxation Exercises
• Biofeedback
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Proper Breathing
• Social Support