Describe how stress affects Your body

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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