What was your “Stress Test” score? 23
I do not think that the test accurately captures my experiences since its normal to experience stress as a result of my high expectations. Therefore, I think that normal stress levels do not necessarily mean I have a problem,
Stress, stressors, and coping
Psychologists differentiate stressors, strain, and stress through the meaning of the terms. A stressor is something that activates the release of stress hormones. Common stressors include practicing unhealthy habits, not having enough time, expecting too much, etc. Moreover, stress is a medical term that refers to a wide range of strong external stimuli, comprising of both physiological and psychological response, also referred to as the general adaptation syndrome as described by Hans Selye. Nonetheless, coping is a disbursing conscious effort applied to resolve problems, and seeks to master, lessen, or endure stress or conflict.
The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) by Selye
In simple terms, GAS describes the manner at which the body reacts to stress. Selye called the syndrome general since because it’s created by agents who have impacts on the entire body. He called it adaptive because it had the capability to stimulate defense. Besides, Selye called it a syndrome because its individual manifestations are synchronized and even partially reliant on each other. He thought that GAS encompassed the nervous and the endocrine system. Furthermore, Selye outlined three major stages in the evolution of the syndrome, and this includes Alarm Reaction (AR), the Stage of Resistance (SR), and the Stage of Exhaustion (SE).
The Biology of Stress
Why women experience stress differently than men (tend-and-befriend)
Scientists argue that woman can experience stress differently because of the tend-and-befriend response. The response is caused by an oxytocin-mediated stress response cascade. The response is stimulated by oxytocin, which is increased by the levels of estrogen that is high in women than men (McCarthy). The fight-or-flight stress response in men is induced by testosterone and vasopressin that displays opposite impacts of oxytocin.
This alleged gender difference in fight-or-flight and tend-and-befriend may “make sense” from an evolutionary perspective. The unique female stress response is said to prolong the survival of females and their offspring. The biochemical and evolutionary explanations illustrate how females easily adopt to stress, and this increases the likelihoods of successive reproduction (McCarthy).
The body’s two-part endocrine response to stress.
They include the hypothalamus and the pituitary-adrenocortical system. Both are as a result of a delayed response that restores the body to normal, and the cortisol which stimulates glucose metabolism.
The effects of stress on the body
Heart
High-stress levels affect the behaviors and factors that contribute to the risk of heart disease. This includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, physical inactivity, and smoking, amongst others.
Digestive tract
Stress lessens the digestion of enzymes in the blood flow. Also, stress can activate the flight-or-fight response that can cause the shutdown of the digestive because of muscle contractions and decreased secretions necessary for digestions. Nonetheless, it can also cause the inflammation of the gastrointestinal system increasing the susceptibility to infection.
The brain
The chronic stress and cortisol have the ability to damage the brain. Chronic stress leads to permanent changes in the structure and function of the brain. For instance, when young people are exposed to chronic stress, they are later affected by mental conditions like anxiety, mood disorders, or even learning difficulties.
According to the transactional model, what triggers the process of stress?
The transaction model describes the process of stress as the continual adjustments to the daily circumstances. Therefore, stress is triggered when we surpass that capability to handle the problems that emerge in life.
Works Cited
McCarthy, Lauren A. "A Unique Female Stress Response: Tend-and-Befriend." Great Ideas in Personality--Theory and Research. N.p., Feb. 2005. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
