Physiology of Stress and Anxiety Flashcards
What is Eustress and Distress?
Eustress = Good stress Distress = Bad stress
What is a stressor?
Something that induces a stress response
What are the three phases to the Stress response?
Alarm phase
Resistance / Adaptation phase
Exhaustion phase
In the long term stress response, what hormone is released by the Adrenal cortex?
Cortisol
In the short term stress response, what hormone is released by the Adrenal cortex?
Catecholamines i.e. Adrenaline / Noradrenaline
Describe what occurs in Long term stress (HPA axis)
- Hypothalamus releases CRH
- CRH activates anterior pituitary gland
- Anterior pituatary gland releases ACTH
- ACTH travels through blood to adrenal glands
- Adrenal glands release Cortisol
What effect does Aldosterone have, when released by Adrenal Glands, on the body?
Causes retention of sodium and water
Which part of the brain is involved in Fear Responses?
Amygdala
How does the Amygdala and Hippocampus regulate the HPA axis?
Amygdala activation stimulates HPA axis
Hippocampus activation supresses HPA axis
Give examples of 4 anxiety disorders
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Phobias
OCD
PTSD
Give an example of a Psychological Approach to Anxiety Disorder
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
What 3 classes of drugs can be prescribed to a patient with an Anxiety Disorder?
Benzodiazepines
SSRIs
Beta blockers
Give three examples of Benzodiazepine drugs
Diazepam
Temazepam
Clonazepam
What is one precaution to take with Benzodiazepine drugs?
Reduced effectiveness and addictive with long-term use
What is the mechanism of action for Benzodiazepines?
Agonists for the GABAa receptor, increasing the inhibitory effect of GABA
