PSYCH 14 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Cortisol, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, East Los Angeles College
Document Summary
Neuroendocrine systems: link the brain, hormones, and certain organs. Functions as one of stress response systems. When there is a stressor or a threat. Stress hypothalamus pituitary gland adrenal glands cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels and abnormal daily rhythms of cortisol level. Detection of stress translates through hpa axis to secretion of hormone cortisol. Greatest secretion of cortisol in the morning and gradual decline over the rest of the day. Abnormal daily rhythms of cortisol levels in depressed patients. Instead of having strong diurnal rhythm, severely depressed patients have flat diurnal cortisol release throughout the day and/or they have an elevated level of cortisol. Goal: increase activity and access to reinforcement through overt behavior change. Trying to change person"s behavior by increasing individual"s level of activity. By increasing patient"s activity, you want to increase their access to reinforcement. Assessment of contingencies that maintain depressive behavior and targeting of behavioral changes that will improve quality of life.
