1. HOW DOES STRESS
AFFECT HEALTH?
By GROUP 16
Sara Baker
Vivianne Coutu
Jullian De Leon
Andrea Desormeaux
Jessica D. Mitchell
Julia Lauren Taylor
Brittany Walker

2. STRESS : Definitions
 A normal physical response to events that make you
feel threatened or upset your balance in some way
(Smith, 2009).
 The body’s way of protecting you (Smith, 2009).
 A physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes
bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease
causation.(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2009).
 A state resulting from a stress; especially: one of bodily
or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to
alter an existent equilibrium (Merriam-Webster Online
Dictionary, 2009).

3. STATISTICS
•Stress considered a precursor of health problems, becoming
increasingly common of modern life ( Statistics Canada 1994 – 2001)
•Adults who suffered high stress in 1994/95 had higher odds of
developing a number of chronic conditions by 2000/01.
Of the various sources of stress ( 34 were considered in the analysis),
chronic strains, continuing problems with crowded schedules, finances
and relationships – appeared to be the most potent (Statistics Canada
1994 – 2001).
Each additional stressor reported in 1994/95 led to 6% increase in the
odds of reporting a chronic condition six years later for men, and an 8%
increase for women (Statistics Canada 1994 – 2001).

4. WHAT ARE THE FEELINGS OF
STRESS?
 A heavy load on ones May lead to -
back  Fear
 Concern  Helplessness
 Feeling of Uneasiness,  Lonely
Worry
 Aggravation/Annoyance
 Anger
 Exasperation
 Overwhelmed

5. STRESS HORMONES
Stage 1 - Mobilizing Energy
Release of adrenaline, increased heart rate, and you start to breathe
more quickly.
Stage 2 - Consuming Energy Stores
If the stress persists, your body begins to release stored substances.
You may experience anxiety, memory loss, decreased immune
system function.
Stage 3 - Draining Energy Stores
If stress persists further, the body's need for energy will become
greater than its ability to produce it. You may experience insomnia,
errors in judgement, and personality changes.

6. The Stress Trigger
Every disturbance of the body, either real or imagined, evokes a
stress response.
1. Activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system.
3. Glucocorticoid hormones from the adrenal cortex.
5. Two types of corticosteroid receptors:
 Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) integrates hormonal signalling and
activates the expression of aldosterone target genes, which control various
physiological processes.
 Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) that cortisol and other glucocorticoids bind
to. GR is expressed in almost every cell in the body and regulates genes
controlling the development, metabolism, and immune response.
(Marianne, 2006)

7. (Stress and your body, 2007)

9. (S – cool, 2000)

10. STRESS
Can be
internal
or
external

11. STRESS FACTORS
External : challenges of physical
daily routines and environment
 Major life changes
 Work
 Relationship and family
 Finance
 Too busy
(Smith, 2009)

12. STRESS FACTORS
Internal : response to external
factors – how you handle
stress and maintain well-being
 Unrealistic expectations/
perfectionism
 Lack of confidence/assertiveness
 Pessimism

13. SHORT TERM STRESS
-Adrenaline release is a response to short
term stress
-This happens when your body is
responding to what is perceived to be a
physical threat.
-When the body encounters a threat it it
gets geared up for a "fight of flight"

14. SHORT TERM STRESS
Physical Symptoms related to short term
stress:
 Breathing rapidly / Increase Heart Rate
 Cold hands and feet / Excessive sweating
 Diarrhea
 Dry mouth
 Nausea / Gastrointestinal Irritability
 Tension / Headaches
(stressfocus.com, 2009)

15. LONG TERM STRESS
-Prolonged exposure to
Adrenaline
-Negative health outcomes
-Severe stress can lead to many
illnesses and health problems.

16. PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS RELATED
TO LONG TERM STRESS
 Body aches and pains
 Chest pain and irregular heartbeat
 Immune system suppression
 Hair loss
 High blood pressure
 Increase or decrease in weight
 Insomnia
 Migraines
 Sexual disorder
(Rao, 2006)

17. PHYSICAL STRESS
 Physical – occurs when body suffers as
a result of a stressful situation.
 Symptoms vary in seriousness
(Constandse, 2006).
 Physical stressors are harmful because
they force body systems to continuously
compensate for conditions that are
outside the normal range
(Stress Hazards, n.d.).

18. EMOTIONAL STRESS
 Emotional – stress affecting the
mind
-anxiety
-anger
-depression
-irritability
-frustration
-over-reaction to everyday problems
-memory loss & a lack of concentration
for any task

19. PSYCHOLOGICAL
STRESS
 Psychological – long-term stress can
cause psychological problems
 Symptoms: withdrawal from society,
phobias, compulsive behaviours, eating
disorders, and night terrors
(Constandse, 2006).
 May be evolved from a real past event
causing an emotional disturbance
(Whittle, 2009).

20. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Cognitive Symptoms
 Memory loss
 Inability to concentrate
 Poor judgment
 Negativity
 Anxious or racing thoughts
 Constant worrying
(Smith, 2009)

21. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Emotional Symptoms
 Moodiness
 Irritability or short temper
 Agitation, inability to relax
 Feeling overwhelmed
 Sense of loneliness and isolation
 Depression or general unhappiness
(Smith, 2009)

22. WHAT IS PTSD?
“Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”
PTSD: an anxiety disorder or condition that can
occur after you have been through a traumatic
event (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2009).
 “The symptoms may disrupt your life, making it nard to
continue with your daily activities” (Department of
Veterans Affairs, 2009).

23. Causes Of PTSD
 Caused by a traumatizing event
 Triggers: “stressors” that can come from anywhere that
usually remind the person of the event or of the aftermath causing
them to experience symptoms of PTSD
(Canadian Mental Health Association, 2009) .
 Developing PTSD is dependant on: intensity of
the trauma or its duration, deaths resulting as a result of the
trauma, proximity to the event, immediate reaction to the event, level
of perceived control of the event, level of support post-event
(Department of Veterans Affairs, 2009).

24. Symptoms of PTSD
SYMPTOMS :“usually begin within three months of the event.
However, sometimes they surface many years later.”
(Canadian Mental Health Association, 2009)
4 widely accepted types of symptoms associated with PTSD:
 reliving the event
 avoidance
 numbing
 over-alertness.
(Canadian Mental Health Association, 2009).

25. RELATED ILLNESSES TO PTSD/TREATMENT
RELATED ILLNESSES
 Alcohol or drug dependance
 Depression
 Dizziness
 Chest pain
 Gastrointestinal issues
 Immune system issues
TREATMENT
 Medication
 Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or group therapy

26. HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO
STRESS?
Driving Analogy
 Foot on the gas
 Foot on the brake.
 Foot on both
(Smith, 2009)

27. ANXIETY
Chronic stress
Symptoms
 Worrying
 Muscle tension & headache
 Irritability / trouble focusing
 Sweating / trembling
 Frequent bathroom use
 Trouble sleeping

28. ANXIETY
Causes
 Genetics
 Brain chemistry
 Trauma
Treatment
 Psychiatrist / psychologist – meds + cognitive
therapy
 Meds
- Benzodiazepines “tranquilizers”
ex: Xanax, Librium, Valium, Activan
- Buspar mimics serotonin (no sleepiness or
dependency like Benzodiazepines)
- Antidepressants

29. Determinants That Affect
Stress:
 Social
 Behavioral
 Environmental
 Gender
 Political

30. HOW TO DEAL WITH STRESS
3 Broad Methods
 Self help for treating stress
 Stress management techniques
 Medicines
(Nordqvist, 2009)

31. SELF HELP FOR TREATING STRESS
 Exercise
 Alcohol and drugs
 Nutrition
 Breathing
 Talk
 Seek professional help
 Relaxation techniques

32. (Mental Health America,

33. References
Canadian Mental Health Association. (2009). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved September, 27,
2009, from http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3-94-97&lang=1
Constandse, R. (2006). Definition of Stress. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from http://
www.timethoughts.com/stress/definition-of-stress.htm
Department of Veterans Affairs. (2009). National Center for PTSD. Retrieved September, 27, 2009, from
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/what-is-ptsd.asp
Marianne B., & Holsboer, F. (2006). Hormones, Stress and Depression. Retrieved September 22, 2009,
from http://www.springerlink.com/content/v2824520ku625370/
Mental Health America. (2009). Factsheet: Stress: Know the Signs. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/mental-health-month/stress-know-the-signs
Nordqvist, C. (2009). What Is Stress? How To Deal With Stress. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145855.php
Panzarino, P. (2009). Stress. Retrieved September 22, 2009, from http://www.medicinenet.com/stress/
article.htm
Rao, V. (2006). Short Term and Long Term Physical Symptoms of Severe Stress. Retrieved September,
27, 2009, from http://www.relishinglife.com/73/short-termand-long-term-physical-symptoms-
of-severe-
stress/

34.
S – cool. (2000). Psychology A-level: Stress. What is 'stress'? Retrieved October 4, 2009, from http://
www.s-cool.co.uk/alevel/psychology/stress/what-is-stress.html
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http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm
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