stress Encyclopdia Britannica Article

In psychology and biology, any strain or interference that disturbs the functioning of an organism. The human being responds to physical and psychological stress with a combination of psychic and physiological defenses. If the stress is too powerful, or the defenses inadequate, a psychosomatic or other mental disorder may result. Stress is an una oidable effect of li ing and is an especially comple! phenomenon in modern technological society. There is little doubt that an indi idual"s success or failure in controlling potentially stressful situations can ha e a profound effect on his ability to function. The ability to #cope$ with stress has figured prominently in psychosomatic research. Researchers have

reported a statistical link between coronary heart disease and individuals exhibiting stressful behavioral patterns designated Type A". These patterns are reflected in a style of life characterized by impatience and a sense of time urgency hard!driving competitiveness and preoccupation with vocational and related deadlines.
%arious strategies ha e been successful in treating psychological and physiological stress. &oderate stress may be relie ed by e!ercise and any type of meditation ' e.g., yoga or

"riental meditative forms#. $evere stress may re%uire psychotherapy to uncover and work through the underlying causes. A form of behaviour therapy known as biofeedbac( enables the patient to become more aware of internal processes and thereby gain some control over bodily reactions to stress. $ometimes a change of environment or living situation may produce therapeutic results.

biofeedback Encyclopdia Britannica Article

Information supplied instantaneously about an indi idual"s own physiological processes. )ata concerning a person"s cardio ascular acti ity 'blood pressure and heart rate*, temperature, brain wa es, or muscle tension is monitored electronically and returned, or #fed bac(,$ to that person by a gauge on a meter, a light, or a sound. Though such acti ity of the autonomic ner ous system was once thought to be beyond an indi idual"s control, it has been shown that an individual

can be taught to use the biological data to learn how to voluntarily control the body&s reactions to stress or outside!the!skin' events. An individual learns through biofeedback training to detect his physical reactions (inside!the!skin events# and establish control over them.
Biofeedback training is a type of behaviour therapy that attempts to change learned responses to stressors. )t can be very successful in alleviating symptoms ( e.g., pain

and muscle tension# of a disorder and its effects can be especially lasting if used in combination with psychotherapy to help the patient understand his reactions to stress.
+omplaints that ha e been treated by biofeedbac( training include migraine headaches, gastrointestinal cramping 'e.g., colitis# high blood pressure tics and the fre%uency

and severity of epileptic seizures. Theoretically many psychologists believe it

possible to bring under partial control any physiological process that can be continuously monitored and displayed including electrophysiological activity of the limbic system and other homeostatic processes.
Biofeedbac( training with brain wa es has also been useful in enhancing mental functioning.

Alpha (wave# training' elicits the calming and integrative effects of meditation. Theta wa e training has led to more focused attention the control of mental blocks' during examinations and the control of anxiety.