Physiological%20Treatments

1
Physiological Treatments
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Aim to reduce the problem of stress by altering
  the way the brain and/or body respond to it
• Drugs
• Biofeedback training

2
Drug Treatments for Stress
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Stress response involves
• Increased levels of certain neurotransmitters
  (e.g. GABA, noradrenaline)
• Increased activity in particular brain areas
  (e.g. limbic system)
• Increased activity in sympathetic nervous system

3
Drug Treatments for Stress
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Centrally acting drugs affect the brain systems
  and chemicals related to stress
• Anxiolytic drugs like the benzodiazepines (BZs)
  affect GABA levels and the activity of the limbic
  system
• Peripherally acting drugs affect the nervous
  system in the body
• Beta-blockers reduce the responsiveness of the
  sympathetic ganglia and nerves

4
Biofeedback Training for Stress
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• Stress response includes
• Changes to heart and respiratory activity
• Alterations in muscular tension
• These changes are involuntary but it might be
  possible to learn to control them

5
Biofeedback Training for Stress
www.psychlotron.org.uk
High heart rate Moderate heart rate Low heart
rate
Heart Monitor
6
Biofeedback Training for Stress
www.psychlotron.org.uk
High heart rate Moderate heart rate Low heart
rate
Heart Monitor
7
Biofeedback Training for Stress
www.psychlotron.org.uk
High heart rate Moderate heart rate Low heart
rate
Heart Monitor
8
Biofeedback Training for Stress
www.psychlotron.org.uk
High heart rate Moderate heart rate Low heart
rate
Heart Monitor
9
Biofeedback Training for Stress
www.psychlotron.org.uk

• The person is made aware of signs of stress e.g.
  heart rate, muscular tension etc.
• The are connected to monitors that give feedback
  about these measures
• They use the feedback try and alter their own
  heartrate, breathing etc.