Transcript STRESS - Beauchamp Psychology

Biological methods of
stress management
Stress
Biological Psychology
Exam focus
We have covered Psychological Methods of stress
management.
What two methods did we examine last lesson?
This lesson we are going to learn about Biological Methods of
stress management.
Any idea of what this might involve?
Exam focus
In the exam you could be asked to discuss Psychological or
Biological methods of stress management.
What would you write about if the question said
Physiological?
June, 2009: Discuss one or more physiological methods of
stress management. (10 marks)
Read the question and don’t get confused by the
terminology!
Biological = Physiological
Biological methods of
stress management
A person may focus on alleviating the emotions
associated with a stressful situation, even if the
situation itself cannot be changed.
E.g. drugs can be used to reduce the anxiety
associated with stress (drug therapies).
Drug therapies
1. Benzodiazepines (BZs)
2. Beta-blockers (BBs)
Benzodiazepines (BZs)
 Common drug used to
treat anxiety and stress.
 Slows down the
activity of the nervous
system.
Role of GABA
 GABA = NT (body’s natural form of anxiety
relief).
 When GABA is released it has a
‘quietening’ effect on neurons in the brain.
 It does this by reacting with GABA
receptors on the outside of receiving
neurons.
Role of GABA
 When GABA locks into these receptors, it
opens a channel which increases the flow of
chloride ions into the neuron.
 Chloride ions make it harder for the neuron
to be stimulated by other NTs, thus slowing
down its activity and making the person feel
more relaxed.
Sending
neuron
Receiving
neuron
Synaptic gap
How do
Benzodiazepines work?
 BZs enhance the action of GABA by binding to
special sites on the GABA receptor and boosting the
actions of GABA.
 This allows more chloride ions to enter the neuron,
making it even more resistant to excitation from
other NTs.
 As a result, the brain’s output of excitatory NTs is
reduced and the person feels calmer.
Benzodiazepines (BZs)
and serotonin
 Serotonin is a NT that has an arousing
effect in the brain.
 BZs reduce any increased serotonin
activity which then reduces anxiety.
Independent task
On A4 paper draw a diagram or make a
flowchart of the components and processes
involved when a person takes
benzodiazepine for stress.
You have 10 minutes.
Youtube clip
Evaluation of Benzodiazepines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osg7ZP5h3Pw
- LT prescribed users claimed drug lost its
effectiveness and that it was associated with
adverse effects.
- Users found it difficult to stop taking the drug
due to withdrawal effects.
- Users became dependent/addicted to the drug.
Gap-fill of sympathetic arousal
Stress can lead to the activation of the sympathetic nervous
system.
What pathway is this?
What physiological effects does this have on the body?
What type of disorders can these symptoms be linked to?
What can they also reduce the effectiveness of?
Beta-blockers (BBs)
How do they work?
 Reduce the activity of adrenaline and
noradrenaline which are part of the
sympathomedullary response to stress.
 Bind to beta-receptors on the cells of the heart and
other parts of the body that are usually stimulated
during stress response.
Beta-blockers (BBs)
What do they achieve?
 Blocking beta-receptors on the heart causes a reverse
effect of the stress hormones (e.g.?).
 This causes the heart to beat more slowly and with less
force.
 It also means that the blood vessels do not contract so
easily resulting in a fall in BP and less stress on the
heart.
 Consequently person feels calmer and less anxious.
Strength or weakness?
There is research to support that drugs are effective in
combating the effects of stress.
It has recently been recognised that patients taking BZs
can become addicted to the drugs, even if it is just lowdose dependence. (Recommended use of BZs is limited to
4 weeks).
Patients display withdrawal symptoms when stop taking
the drugs.
Strength or weakness?
Ease of use is a great benefit of using drugs for stress
as it requires little effort from the user; you just have to
remember to take the pills. (Requires less time and
effort than psychological methods).
Many drugs have side effects. Associated side effects
of BZs include increased aggressiveness and cognitive
side effects i.e. memory impairment. (No evidence of
side effects of BBs).
Strength or weakness?
Treats the symptoms of stress rather than the underlying
problem. Effects only last whilst the person is taking the
drugs; if they stop taking them the effectiveness ceases
and the problem may still be there i.e. long-term stress.
(May be preferable to seek a treatment that addresses
the problem itself – psychological method).
BBs are effective in reducing anxiety in a variety of
stressful situations e.g. among musicians and in sports
where accuracy is more important than physical stamina
i.e. snooker.
Measuring the
effectiveness of a drug
• Assess effectiveness by comparing outcomes.
• Two groups of anxious patients; one group given
drug, other group given a placebo (no effect on the
body).
• Patients unaware, both given medication.
• Can determine whether drug’s effectiveness due to
pharmacological properties or something
psychological (e.g. simply believing that taking the
drug will make you feel better).
Supporting research
Hildalgo et al (2001)
 Meta-analysis of studies focusing on treatment
of social anxiety.
 BZs more effective in reducing this anxiety than
other drugs, such as anti-depressants.
So…what’s the
difference?
Biological = focus on alleviating emotions
associated with stressful situation rather than dealing
with the situation itself.
Psychological = involves the use of techniques that
help the person to cope with the situation rather than
just dealing with the symptoms of their stress.
Independent task
For each term or name in the table, colour code
whether it is linked to SIT, hardiness training,
Benzodiazepines or Beta-blockers.
You will need 4 different colours.
You have 10 minutes.
GABA
Beta-receptors
Focusing
(CBT)
Hardy
personality
Conceptualisation
phase
Chloride ions
Cortisol
Serotonin
Adrenaline
Kobasa
Side effects
Coping selfstatements
Self-improvement
Sympathetic
arousal
Meichenbaum
Application of knowledge
Exam focus
1. Complete the essay structure in your booklet
for biological methods of stress management.
2. Read the exam answer and correct the 15
mistakes.
20 minutes