PSY333H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Allostatic Load, Bone Density, Allostasis
Document Summary
Allostasis => process of adaptation to acute stress=> output of stress hormones => restore homeostasis in the fact of a challenge. Allostatic load=> price the body pays for being forced to adapt to adverse psychosocial or physical situations (again caused by too much stress or inefficient operation of the stress hormone response system) Inability to habituate to a single repeated stressor: Failure to habituate to repeated stressors of the same kind => increased cortisol in a/who lack self- confidence and self-esteem/ overexposing their bodies to stress hormones find daily things stressful that others do not. Example is the hypersecretion of cortisol in the evening in people who have been sleep deprived as well as in depressed individuals. In depression, loss of bone mineral density has been reported. Causes excessive activity of other allostatic systems (inflammatory cytokines, which are normally contained by elevated levels of cortisol and catecholamines). disorders involving lower-than-needed cortisol include fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
