1 Stress and Illness/DiseaseChapter 3 Stress and Illness/Disease
2 Hot Reactors Hot reactors tend to: Become angry easilyBe anxious or depressed Urinate frequently Experience gastrointestinal problems
3 Psychosomatic DiseaseProcess involving the mind affecting the body Psychophysiological is used synonymously Diagnosed as a real disease, manifested physically Can be psychogenic (physical disease is caused by emotional stress) or somatogenic (mind increases body’s susceptibility to some diseases)
4 Stress and the Immunological SystemPsychoneuroimmunology – scientific field of the chemical link between mind and body Immunological system includes the following white blood cell groups: Phagocytes T cells B cells All three identify and destroy foreign substances in the body
5 Studies of Personality and Health StatusFriedman and Booth-Kewley (1987) cite evidence of a disease-prone personality Hans Eysenck (1988) demonstrated personality traits leading to cancer and heart disease
6 Studies of Personality and Health Status, cont’dA 1989 Princeton study showed a reduction in students’ antibody salivary IgA during stressful periods Dr. Candace Pert (2003) demonstrated a possible link between WBCs and neuropeptide production; relaxation may be able to increase effectiveness of immune system
7 Relationship of Stress to Specific Diseases/ConditionsFriedman, Rosenman, and Carroll (1958) showed how timelines/deadlines can increase serum cholesterol dramatically A relationship between high blood pressure (>140/90 mm Hg) and stress has long been been suspected (Lamott, 1974)
8 Relationship of Stress to Specific Diseases/Conditions, cont’dStroke/apoplexy – lack of oxygen to the brain resulting from a blocked or ruptured blood vessel, has been linked to stress (Manuck et al, 1992) Coronary heart disease (blockage of coronary arteries) has been linked to stress; Friedman & Rosenman (1974) identified Type A behaviors in heart attack patients
9 Relationship of Stress to Specific Diseases/Conditions, cont’dUlcers – fissures in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract Cause originally thought to be increased hydrochloric acid production resulting from stress Recent information shows Helicobacter pylori often is the cause Antibiotics rather than histamine blockers should be prescribed for ulcers Ingestion of aspirin or other anti-inflammatories also can cause ulcers
10 Relationship of Stress to Specific Diseases/Conditions, cont’dMigraine headaches Result from constriction (preattack phase) and dilation (pain stage) of carotid arteries 24 million suffer in United States Considered to be sign of emotional stress Tension headaches Caused by muscle tension (forehead, jaw, neck)
11 Relationship of Stress to Specific Diseases/Conditions, cont’dCancer Studies suggest stress plays a role in development of cancer Allergies, asthma, and hay fever Antigens (foreign substances) cause the immune system to produce antibodies Some scientists argue that allergies are emotional diseases
12 Relationship of Stress to Specific Diseases/Conditions, cont’dRheumatoid arthritis Inflammation of a joint, possibly caused by a faulty functioning of the immune system Backache Muscle weakness and bracing is usual cause Constant contractions found in certain personality types
13 Relationship of Stress to Specific Diseases/Conditions, cont’dTMJ syndrome Interference with smooth function of jaw Most common cause is bruxism (teeth grinding) due to stress PTSD Posttraumatic stress disorder results from extreme psychological and/or physical event perceived as extremely distressing (e.g., threat to one’s life)
14 Relationship of Stress to Specific Diseases/Conditions, cont’dPsychosocial illnesses Anxiety Depression Physical symptoms cannot be separated from psychological and sociological
15 Stress and Other ConditionsMay lead to miscarriage Increase the risk of sports injuries
16 Stress and Illness/DiseaseChapter 3 Stress and Illness/Disease