PSY 245 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Autonomic Nervous System, Cardiovascular Disease, Psychoneuroimmunology
Document Summary
These disorders are listed in the dsm-iv under psychological factors affecting medical condition . Hypothalamus = center for arousal and fear. Contains two systems: sympathetic (arousing) and parasympathetic (calming) A network of glands throughout the body which release hormones. Selye"s concept of the body"s adaptive response to stress in three stages: phase 1: alarm reaction (mobilize resources) fight or flight, phase 2: resistance (cope with stressor, phase 3: exhaustion (reserves depleted) *the body"s resistance to stress can last only so long before exhaustion sets in. * prolonged stress can weaken our immune system increases susceptibility to many illnesses (common cold, flu, developing chronic diseases such as cancer) * under stress, immune system becomes less capable of toning down inflammatory response leads to persistent inflammation which contributes to the development of physiological disorders (cardiovascular disease, asthma, arthritis) Psychoneuroimmunology studies relationship between psychological factors, especially stress, and the workings of the immune system. Questions to ask yourself when facing a possible stressor:
