Physiological Methods of Stress Management

Drug Therapies - Benzodiazepines

One example of a physiological method to help stress management is the use of drug therapies.

Some work by slowing down the activity of the CNS whereas some work by slowing down the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

An example of a drug is Benzodiazepines (BZs), which includes Librium and Valium. These slow down the activity of the CNS.

Drug Therapies - BenzodiazepinesHow do they work?

BZ’s enhance the action of GABA.

GABA is a neurotransmitter and the body’s natural form of anxiety relief.

When the neurons in the brain respond to this neurotransmitter, it has a quietening effect on them.

The neurons do this by reacting with GABA receptors on the outside of receiving neurons.

The GABA then locks into these receptors and 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 neurotransmitters and so therefore slows down its activity, making the person feel more relaxed.

Drug Therapies - BenzodiazepinesHow do they work?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has an arousing effect in the brain.

Too much serotonin leads to anxiety, whereas low levels of serotonin leads to depression.

BZs reduce any increased serotonin activity, and so in turn, reduces anxiety.

Drug Therapies

Sending

Neuron

Receiving

Neuron

Synaptic Gap

Neurotransmitter Substance

Drug Therapies – Beta-Blockers (BBs)

A second example of a drug is Beta-blockers (BBs), which reduce the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Sympathetic Branch

Works with Sympathetic Adrenal Medullary System (SAM) to activate the

adrenal medulla

Release of adrenaline

Prepares body for fight or flight response

Physiological Reactions e.g. increased heart rate

Drug Therapies – Beta-BlockersHow do they work?

Stress causes an arousal of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and this can lead to:

- raised blood pressure

- increased heart rate

These then can cause:

- cardiovascular disorders

- reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system functioning

What BBs do is reduce the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline which are responsible for preparing the body for the “fight or flight” response.

The do this by binding to receptors on the cells of the heart and other parts of the body which are usually stimulated during this arousal.

Drug Therapies – Beta-Blockers

What do they achieve?

By blocking these receptors, it is harder to stimulate the cells.

An example would be the heart; it begins to beat slower and with less force so blood vessels do not contract easily. This then leads to a fall in blood pressure which in turn means less stress on the heart. The person would begin to feel calmer and less anxious.

Real World Application

Lockwood (1989) studied over 2,000 musicians in major US symphony orchestras and found that 27% reported taking BBs. It was found that those musicians who had taken BBs felt better about their performance, as well as receiving a better report from critics.

STRENGTHS OF DRUG TREATMENTS

Effectiveness:Effectiveness:• Drugs can be very effective in combating the effects of

stress. • One way to assess effectiveness is to compare outcomes

– one group of anxious patients is given a drug another group is given a placebo- a substance that has no pharmacological effects (i.e. it has no effect on the body). Patients are given medication but do not know whether it is the real thing or the placebo. This enables us to determine whether the effectiveness of the drug is due to its pharmacological properties or to something psychological (e.g. simply believing that taking the drug will make you better.)

Research:Research:• Kahn et al(1986)followed nearly 250 patients over

eight weeks and found that BZ’s were significantly superior to a placebo. A meta-analysis of students focusing on the treatment of social anxiety ( Hidalgo et al,2001) found that BZ’s were more effective at reducing this anxiety than other drugs such as anti-depressants.

• Beta-blockers 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 ( e.g. snooker and golf)

Ease of use:Ease of use:• One of the great benefits of using drugs for

stress is that the therapy requires little effort from the user. You just have to remember to take the pills. This is much easier than the time and effort needed to use psychological methods. For example, stress inoculation therapy requires a lot of time, effort and motivation on the part of the client if it is to be effective.

Weaknesses of Drug

Treatments

AddictionAddiction• Patients can exhibit withdrawal symptoms

even with LOW doses of Benzodiazepines

• This indicates a psychological dependence

The more you do it

The more you’ll end up doing it

The more problems you’ll havePhysical, psychological, social health problems

The more difficulty you’ll have stopping itPhysical, psychological dependence

Possible Side effectsPossible Side effects• Increased aggressiveness with BZs

• Impairment of memory with BZs

• Some studies have linked Beta blockers to an increased risk of developmental diabetes

Treating symptoms rather Treating symptoms rather than the problemthan the problem

• Effectiveness of drug treatments for stress and anxiety

• Only lasts as long as the person takes the drug because the problem itself has not been addressed

A technique that trains people to improve their A technique that trains people to improve their health by controlling certain bodily processes.health by controlling certain bodily processes.

There are different types of biofeedback treatments used. The 3 commonly used There are different types of biofeedback treatments used. The 3 commonly used biofeedback treatments are as following:biofeedback treatments are as following:

-ElectromyographyElectromyography- - Measures Muscle TensionsMeasures Muscle Tensions

- Thermal biofeedback-Thermal biofeedback- Measures skin temperature Measures skin temperature

- NeurofeedbackNeurofeedback- - Measures the brain wave activityMeasures the brain wave activity

Neal Miller (1961) suggested that ANS (autonomic nervous system) responses could be voluntary. As a result of his experiments, he showed that such autonomic processes were controllable; this led to the creation of BIOFEEDBACK!

AN EFFECTIVE RESEACRH INTO BIOFEEDBACK:AN EFFECTIVE RESEACRH INTO BIOFEEDBACK:

Dr. Barry Sterman established that both cats and monkeys could be trained to control their brain wave pattern. He linked his study to humans and experimented on humans with epilepsy; as a result he was a able to reduce seizures by 60% using Biofeedback.

Many scientists believe that relaxationrelaxation is the key to a successful Biofeedback treatment.

When going under chronic stresschronic stress, your body has high blood pressure, Biofeedback therapy lowers this blood pressure level through a process of relaxation techniques and mental relaxation techniques and mental exercisesexercises.

When successful, the results are shown on a monitor to the patient encouragingencouraging their efforts.

It is effective for a range of health problems

Lack of side effects

Research has shown; It eases symptoms of “Raynaud’s disease” (a condition that causes radical blood flow to fingers, toes, nose or ears)

It reduces pain

It is effective in children as well; Neurofeedback has been reported to improve behaviour and intelligence scores in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

It also helps relieve abdominal pain in children

Requires specialist equipment

Can be more expensive and difficult to use at home than other methods.

It may be the biofeedback itself that’s important; it may be the person developing a sense of control over their well being, learning simple relaxation techniques, all with a commitment to getting better.

Dorkin & Miller (1986)- weren’t able to replicate Miller and Dicara’s findings with rats, which casts doubt on the response of ANS to operant conditioning.

Biofeedback isBiofeedback is……• A- a drug therapy

• B- something that has many side effects

• C- a therapy involving recording the

bodies response to stressors

Biofeedback is…Biofeedback is…

•C- a therapy involving recording the bodies response to stressors

Biofeedback involves the Biofeedback involves the use ofuse of……

• A- therapist, electrodes and monitors

• B- drugs, exercise and meditation

• C- reducing serotonin levels, increasing blood pressure

Biofeedback involves Biofeedback involves the use of…the use of…

•A- therapist, electrodes A- therapist, electrodes and monitorsand monitors

People are encouraged People are encouraged toto……

•A- try various strategies to combat the type of stress found

One advantage of One advantage of biofeedback is…biofeedback is…

• A- its quick and cheap

• B- its effective for a range of health problems

• C- establishes the causes of stress

One advantage of One advantage of biofeedback isbiofeedback is……

•B- its effective for a range of health problems

What are the three types What are the three types of biofeedback?of biofeedback?

• A- A- Electromyography, Thermal biofeedback, Electromyography, Thermal biofeedback, Neurofeedback Neurofeedback

• B- B- Neurofeedback, Thermal biofeedback and Neurofeedback, Thermal biofeedback and systematic desensitization systematic desensitization

• C- C- Electromyography, Neurofeedback and Electromyography, Neurofeedback and emotion focused coping emotion focused coping

What are the three types What are the three types of biofeedback?of biofeedback?

•A- Electromyography, Thermal biofeedback, Neurofeedback

What is GABA?What is GABA?

A- a Drug

B- a neurotransmitter

C- a receptor

What is GABA?What is GABA?

B- a neurotransmitter

Valium is an example of…Valium is an example of…

A- a neurotransmitter

B- a beta blocker

C- a benzodiazepine

Valium is an example of

C- a benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines…Benzodiazepines…

A-reduce activity of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline.

B- prepares the body for fight or flight response

C- slows down the activity of the CNS

C- slows down the activity of the CNS

Benzodiazepines…

Beta blockers…Beta blockers…

A- slows down the activity of the CNS.

B-Reduces activity or adrenaline and nor-adrenaline.

C- Are receptor sites.

B-Reduces activity or adrenaline and nor-adrenaline.

Beta blockers…

Which one is not a weakness of Which one is not a weakness of Drugs?Drugs?

A-side effects

B- addiction

C-symptoms treated rather than the problem

D-not easy to use.

D- not easy to use.

Which one is not a weakness?Which one is not a weakness?

What type of drug did Lockwood What type of drug did Lockwood 1989 study relate to?1989 study relate to?

A- Beta-blockers

B- Benzodiazepines

C- Diamorphine

B- Benzodiazepines

What type of drug did Lockwood 1989 study relate to?