This document discusses the effects of stress on the human body. It explains that stress affects our thoughts, feelings, bodies, behavior and interactions. When stressed, our blood pressure rises, breathing becomes more rapid, digestive system slows down, heart rate increases, immune system decreases, and muscles become tense. Prolonged stress can impair memory and lead to chronic health issues if stress hormones like cortisol remain elevated. Stress negatively impacts the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, digestive, and reproductive systems. It can cause cognitive, emotional and behavioral issues. Chronic stress is associated with diseases like heart disease, anxiety, depression and more. The document outlines common stress-related disorders and diseases.

1. STRESS MANAGEMENT
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE SERVICE FOR EDUCATION (EASE)
LOS ANGELES COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
PRESENTER: Monica Borunda, LMFT, CCTP
Revised by Professor McNair 02 /14/2022
DR. EMILY HERNANDEZ, LMFT
DIRECTOR
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2. OBJECTIVE
◼Explore the biological, physiological, and social
aspects of the human stress response
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3. HOW DOES STRESS
AFFECT OUR BODIES?

4. STRESS AFFECTS US IN MANY WAYS
Our thoughts
and feelings.
Our bodies.
Our behavior
and interactions.
Photo
by
®Thinkstock
Photo
by
®Thinkstock
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5. THE EFFECT OF STRESS ON OUR BODIES
When we are stressed, our:
◼Blood pressure rises.
◼Breathing becomes more rapid.
◼Digestive system slows down.
◼Heart rate (pulse) rises.
◼Immune system goes down.
◼Muscles become tense.
◼Sleeping can be more of a problem.
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Effects of Stress on the Nervous
System
• Brain mobilizes other body systems
to react to a threatening situation
• Body wears down over time if
stress persists
• Impaired memory and forgetfulness
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Effects of Stress on the Endocrine
System
• Stress hormones trigger
changes that help the body
respond quickly to a threat
• Increased glucose and fatty
acids give more energy
• Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
mellitus, immune disorders,
obesity, and depression
Stress
hormones
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Cortisol
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• Chronic
• Usually happens slowly
• Is usually long term in length;
May reoccur or keep happening
• Side effects are more severe
• May last a long time or takes a
long time to recover; Long term
side effects
• Acute
• Usually happens quickly
• Is usually short term in length;
“One and Done”
• Recover quickly and minimal
side effects
Acute vs Chronic Situations
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Effects of Stress on the Cardiovascular
System
Initial impact
• Increased
heart rate and
blood pressure
• Body relaxes
and returns to
normal if
stress is
resolved
Continued impact
• Fatty deposits
and glucose
narrow blood
vessels
• Heart must
work harder to
pump blood
Impact over time
• Chronic wear
and tear on
heart increase
risk for heart
attack, stroke,
and other
diseases
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Effects of Stress on the Immune System
• Fewer resources for immune
system as long as threat
continues
• Decrease in disease-fighting
immune cells
• Increased likelihood of
experiencing diseases while
stress persists
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Effects of Stress on the Digestive System
• Spasms of the esophagus
• Increased acid in the stomach,
leading to indigestion
• Worsened symptoms of ulcers
and other digestive conditions
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Effects of Stress on the Reproductive
System
• Decreased levels of sex hormones
• Lower levels of sperm in males
• Restricted ovulation in females
• Decreased sexual arousal
• Reduced fertility
• Changes in the menstrual cycle
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Cognitive Effects of Stress
• Trouble concentrating or
focusing on a task
• Difficulty paying attention
and learning
• Poor decision-making
• Negative thoughts
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Emotional Effects of Stress
• Negative feelings, such as nervousness,
fear, anxiety, helplessness, frustration,
irritability, hostility, and anger
• Greater risk of developing mental health
conditions and illnesses
• Lower level of energy, reduced appetite,
and difficulty sleeping
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Stress-Related Disorders
• Mental illness that develops as a result of stressful events
• Examples:
• Acute stress disorder
• Begins immediately after the stressful event occurs and lasts from three
days to one month
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Characterized by a strong and lingering reaction to extreme stress
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Burnout
• State of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion
• Can lead to significant negative consequences for emotional and
physical health
• Difficulty sleeping
• Negative feelings
• Substance abuse
• Increased risk of developing an illness
• Certain health conditions 16

17. COMMON STRESS-ASSOCIATED DISEASES
◼ Diminished
Immunity
◼ Headache
◼ Fatigue
◼ Weight gain
◼ Hypertension
◼ Heart Disease
◼ Psoriasis/Eczema
◼ Digestive
problems
◼Anxiety
◼Depression
◼Alcoholism
◼Substance abuse
◼Insomnia
◼Irritable bowel
syndrome
◼Fibromyalgia
◼Decreased sex drive
◼Sexual dysfunction
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