PSYC 407 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Behavioral Medicine, Cortisol, Social Forces
Document Summary
Psychological and social factors that influence health forces. Today, the 2nd revolution in public health, the shift in focus to psychological. Some examples of diseases with important psychological and social factors: Used to be called psychosomatic or psycho-physiological medicine. Now we know that psychological, behavioral, and social factors are major (implied less physical component). contributors to medical illness and disease. Psychological factors important to promotion and maintenance of health. Psychological factors can influence basic biological processes. Long-standing behavior patterns may put people at risk for disease. Aids is an example of both forms of influence. 50% of the 10 leading causes of death are linked to lifestyle and behavior. The stress response and the general adaptation syndrome (gas) Phase 2: resistance (mobilized coping and action). Phase 3: exhaustion (chronic stress, permanent damage). Activates the sympathetic branch of the ans (hpa axis, producing cortisol). Hippocampus responsive to cortisol and helps turn off stress response.
