Monitor on Psychology - February 2012 - (Page 37)

Now, researchers are finally beginning to understand the biological processes that underlie these links — findings that could point to new directions in treatment for mental illness and behavior disorders, and may even suggest routes to prevention. Something as simple as good prenatal care — from flu shots to proper nutrition — may help to prevent the biological chain reactions that underlie many psychological problems. Stress is suspect Scientists studying the developmental roots of mental illness have zeroed in on a likely suspect: the body’s stress response. When the body reacts to stressors, two systems kick into gear. The endocrine system produces stress hormones such F e b ru a ry 2 0 1 2 • M o n i t o r o n p s y c h o l o g y as cortisol. And the sympathetic nervous system churns out other stress-related hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine — the factors responsible for the heartpounding, sweaty-palms sensation known as the fight-or-flight response. Yet stress physiology encompasses much more than just stress hormones, says Thaddeus Pace, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. Stress also impacts immune function. “A stressful event can have profound effects on the amount of activity that’s going on in the inflammatory immune system,” he says. Inflammation is a key part of the stress response. It has also been linked to a variety of bodily ills, from diabetes and 37 Thinkstock

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - February 2012

Monitor on Psychology - February 2012
Letters
President’s column
Contents
From the CEO
APA files two briefs in support of same-sex couples
New registry seeks to understand addiction recovery through ‘crowdsourcing’
APA launches a database of tests and measures
Watch for new member benefit: “APA Access”
Apply now for APA’s Advanced Training Institutes
PsycTHERAPY, APA’s new database, brings therapy demos to life
In Brief
APA scientists help guide tobacco regulation
A-mazing research
‘A machine for jumping to conclusions’
Judicial Notebook
Random Sample
Righting the imbalance
The beginnings of mental illness
Science Directions
Improving disorder classification, worldwide
Protesting proposed changes to the DSM
Interventions for at-risk students
Harnessing the wisdom of the ages
Anti-bullying efforts ramp up
Hostile hallways
R U friends 4 real?
Support for teachers
Speaking of Education
Record keeping for practitioners
Going green
At the intersection of law and psychology
Division Spotlight
Grants help solve society’s problems
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - February 2012

https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/member_benefits
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201109_test
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/apa/monitor_201109
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com