Stress (cont.)
What do we know about using (activating) and overusing our
internal systems that respond to stress?
Animal and human
research has taught us much about our internal stress systems. When laboratory
animals are exposed to a prolonged stress (usually food deprivation, mild
electrical stimulation of the foot, or handling), they develop a stress
syndrome. This syndrome consists of high blood pressure
(hypertension), loss of appetite, weight loss, muscle wasting, gastrointestinal
ulcers, loss of reproductive function, suppression of the immune system, and
depression. Researchers also noticed that stress of long duration (chronic
stress) sensitizes the stress system (makes it more responsive to stress). That
is, the system then overresponds to new stressors. They further noticed that
the administration of certain drugs, such as amphetamines or cocaine, could also
sensitize the stress response. Moreover, constant stress increases the
self-administration of drugs in laboratory animals. So, a vicious cycle is
induced. The more stress there is, the more mice seek the drugs, and the more
the sensitivity (increased responsiveness) to stress is increased!
Early separation from the mother has also been seen as another potent
stressor in animals. Such separation has been linked to increased levels of the
stress hormones that cause the stress syndrome, which includes depression.
Studies in humans are underway to evaluate how maternal stress, even early in
the pregnancy, can affect
the developing fetus.
Why might maternal stress affect the fetus? The answer is the communication
of the blood circulations of the mother and the fetus. From the
mother's blood, the fetus gets both the good (for example, nutrients and oxygen) and
the bad. The bad components of the blood can include alcohol, nicotine, illicit
drugs, prescription drugs, and stress chemicals such as cortisol and norepinephrine.
These animal and human studies seem to indicate that stress leads to
depression. In other words, chronic stress in the mother's womb (in utero) or
early deprivation (separation from the mother) might even predispose a person to
developing the psychiatric syndrome of clinical depression in later life.
Furthermore, other experiments show that the administration of stress hormones
can actually decrease brain connections and even the number of brain cells in
crucial areas, such as the limbic system. This loss of brain connections and
cells then can lead to further maladaptive (inadequate adjustment) responses to
stress.
What's more, some particular kinds of stress seem to be even more detrimental
than other types. That is, some types of stress can actually lead to diseases.
For example, stresses that are unpredictable and uncontrollable seem to be the
greatest culprits. On the other hand, stresses with which we can cope and master
are not necessarily bad. In fact, we can learn from these stresses, predict
their recurrence, and develop action plans to reduce or avoid them in the
future. In this way, some stresses can actually trigger new personality growth
and biologically induced adaptive (healthy adjustment) changes. Indeed, much of
psychotherapy is empirically
(guided by practical experience rather than theory) based upon this concept. As
a matter of fact, many therapists are unaware of the biological processes
(mechanisms) that form the basis of their work.
Next: What are the effects of stress on medical and psychological conditions? »
- lorazepam, Ativan - Describes the medication lorazepam (Ativan) an antianxiety drug used for the management of anxiety disorders and anxiety associated with depression. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
- Circumcision: The Surgical Procedure - Read about circumcision, a medical procedure that removes the foreskin of the penis. Circumcised males have a lower risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and penile cancer.
- Shingles - Read about shingles symptoms (contagious rash), vaccine, causes (chickenpox [varicella] virus, stress), treatment, how it's transmitted and postherpetic neuralgia.
Latest Medical News
Mental Health RSS