PSYC 2230 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Adrenal Medulla, Autonomic Nervous System, Psychological Stress
Document Summary
Psychological stress and psychopathology: psychological stress ~ uncomfortable reaction when something we do not expect and cannot control happens to us. Does trauma produce mental illness: trauma can produce psychological disorders, especially ptsd. The psychological mechanisms related to stress and trauma. Stress and the hypothalamic- pituitary- adrenal axis: brain has two major pathways which it influences peripheral physiology, autonomic nervous system ~ innervates variety of organs including adrenal medulla, resulting in release of catecholamines from terminal of sympathetic nerves. Immune system"s task is to recognize foreign agents in body and then destroy them evolved to help organisms to protect themselves from pathogens: psychoneuroimmunology ~ study of how psychological factors can influence immune system. Trauma changes our genes through tagging (epigenetics) Adjustment disorders: adjustment disorders ~ disorders in which reactions to events are out of proportion to severity of event. Acute stress disorder: acute stress disorder ~ short term reaction to traumatic events that lasts from 3 days to 1 month.
