Psychiatr. praxi. 2013;14(4):150-154

Stress and possibilities of its pharmacological modulation - do we know to measure the stress load?

Mgr.Barbora Prokopová, prof.PharmDr.Daniela Ježová, DrSc.

Laboratórium farmakologickej neuroendokrinológie, Ústav experimentálnej endokrinológie, Slovenská akadémia vied

a Katedra farmakológie a toxikológie, Farmaceutická fakulta Univerzity Komenského, Bratislava

A general treatment of stress is not possible because stress is a highly specific response to different stimuli and it is variable in each

individual. It is well known that chronic exposure to intensive stress situations may induce or speed up the development of psychiatric

disorders. Positive stress coping can reduce or prevent negative consequences, while inadequate stress coping contributes to the development

of disease states, such as affective and anxiety disorders. One of the latest concepts of stress is the allostatic theory. It defines

allostasis as a process achieving stability (homeostasis) through change. When the individual is challenged repeatedly or when the

allostatic systems remain turned on when no longer needed, it can produce a wear and tear on the body that has been termed „allostatic

load“. Allostatic load can be evaluated by an index which is calculated from several neuroendocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular and

anthropometric parameters. However, there is no unequivocal recommendation as to the nature and the number of parameters to be

considered in the allostatic load index and measurement of these parameters is often complicated under clinical conditions. Current

research provide evidence suggesting that the pharmacological treatment of the stress response, which is an unequivocal requirement

for dealing with demanding situations, is not desirable. Instead, we should focus on the prevention of its negative consequences.

Keywords: stress, stress coping, allostasis

Published: November 1, 2013  Show citation