1
Micro-Assignment: The Biological & Psychological Factors of Stress
Irish Dhindsa
MACP Program, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Yorkville University
PSYC 6104-22W-O-1S – A Biopsychosocial Approach to Counselling
Instructor: Dr. Victoria Kress
Submission Date: January 29, 2022
2
Micro Assignment: The Biological & Psychological Factors of Stress
For my first counselling session with my psychotherapist, I discussed my concern of a
stressful life. I was raised in a family where stress was often high due to family dynamics, health
concerns, and financial hardships. Currently, I am grieving the death of my partner and of my
father, live with mitochondrial myopathy and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), work a fulltime job while enrolled in a master’s program, involved in volunteer activities, and running a
small private wellness coaching practice. With so much going on, my stress levels are raised by
constant mental and emotional stimulation. My physical exercise is limited by my disability and
related fears which impact my self-confidence. My stress levels lead to sudden, short bursts of
anxiety, relying on food as comfort, weight gain, and social isolation.
Biological Factors Related to my Topic
The counsellor began the session by asking about my motivation behind seeking
counselling and sharing a little about their background (Slay-Westbrook, 2017). I instantly felt
comfortable and safe by my counsellor’s communication style and respectful demeanor towards
me. I felt encouraged to discuss the biological factors contributing to my stress through PCOS,
overworking, social isolation, and epigenetics of stress (Slay-Westbrook, 2017).
Women with PCOS reported greater frequency of eating disorders, lower self-esteem,
and mental distress (Tay et al., 2019). There is an elevated correlation between low self-esteem
and mental distress resulting in a greater probability of an eating disorder (Tay et al., 2019).
Secondly, we explored challenges with overworking, informing me, workaholism is associated
with fatigue impacting sleep, energy, health, relationships, and life satisfaction (Clark et al.,
2021). Following the discussion on overworking, the counsellor discussed that social isolation
affects the dopaminergic and limbic systems which play a role in stress response (Wilkialis et al.,
3
2021). Social isolation and loneliness increase stress, resulting in higher body inflammation
(insulin resistance, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress) which aggravates the dopaminergic and
limbic systems leading to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Wilkialis et al., 2021).
Lastly, the counsellor shared the epigenetic impacts of stress, considering my family
situation. Experiencing stress releases cortisol into the body which enters the cells where it
attaches to glucocorticoid causing permanent epigenetic alterations (Zannas & Chrousos, 2017).
Continued stress and resulting epigenetic development can impact mental health depending on
the level of exposure and an individual’s genetic susceptibility (Zannas & Chrousos, 2017). I felt
heard, understood, and supported by my counselor through their referrals for me to see a
physician for PCOS management, conduct tests to measure stress levels, see a nutritionist for diet
management, and see a physiotherapist for exercise (Slay-Westbrook, 2017).
Psychological Factors
The session continued by discussing the psychological factors impacting my stress
resulting in emotional eating, overworking, and social isolation. Firstly, my counsellor explained
the value of building and maintaining a “stress mindset”, which determines my view of stress
and how I interact with it (Klussman et al., 2021). A stress mindset will assist me in viewing
stress as a motivator rather than a burden, in fact, this positive view of stress is easy to develop
and can increase stress resiliency (Klussman et al., 2021). A “self-connection mindset” increases
self-awareness allowing me to take part in activities that support my values (Klussman, 2021).
We then dived into my concern of overeating, informing me that body-mass index (BMI),
personality type, and eating motivations can contribute to overeating (Kaiser et al., 2022). Some
personality types are more sensitive to stress, such as neuroticism, low conscientiousness (low
discipline), and high introversion (Kaiser et al., 2022). Eating motivations can differ, but for me,
4
it often comes from habits I adopted as a child when my parents gave me food as a response to
manage negative emotions (Kaiser et al., 2022).
Next, we discussed overworking from a psychological framework, where the counsellor
asked about my values as that determines motivation and goals (Malinowska & Tokarz, 2019).
One’s values are directly connected to their work enjoyment rather than their drive to work,
therefore, workaholism leads to less total satisfaction due to its disconnection from values and
can cause relationships to suffer (Malinowska & Tokarz, 2019). Upon learning this, I realized
that I enjoy my work because it fulfills my values which has had a positive impact on my
relationships. Lastly, we discussed the implications of social isolation on mental health, learning
that the dopaminergic and limbic systems under prolonged stress can lead to generalized anxiety
disorder (Wilkialis et al., 2021).
As the session culminated, the counsellor shared the benefits of cognitive behavioural
therapy for stress management (Salomonsson et al., 2020). I felt comfortable sharing things
about myself without hesitation as my counsellor responses were non-judgemental, motivating,
and empathetic, allowing me to feel liberated during the session. I left my session feeling
stronger, respected, uplifted, and motivated to continue sessions that will teach me the skills I
need for stress management (Shebib, 2019).
5
References
Clark, M. A., Hunter, E. M., & Carlson, D. S. (2021). Hidden costs of anticipated workload for
individuals and partners: exploring the role of daily fluctuations in workaholism. Journal
of Occupational Health Psychology, 26(5), 393-404. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000284
Kaiser, B., Gemesi, K., Holzmann, S. L., Wintergerst, M., Lurz, M., Hauner, H., Groh, G.,
Böhm, M., Krcmar, H. Holzapfel, C., & Gedrich, K. (2022). Stress-induced hyperphagia:
empirical characterization of stress-overeaters. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1-11.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12488-9
Klussman, K., Lindeman, M. I. H., Nichols, A. L., & Langer, J. (2021). Fostering stress
resilience among business students: the role of stress mindset and self-connection.
Psychological Reports, 124(4), 1462-1480. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294120937440
Malinowska, D., & Tokarz, A. (2021). Workaholism components in relation to life and work
values. International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 19(2), 529-545.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00089-y
Salomonsson, S., Santoft, F., Lindsäter, E., Ejeby, K., Ingvar, M., Ljótsson, B., Öst, L.,
Lekander, M., & Hedman, L. E. (2020). Effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and
return-to-work intervention for patients on sick leave due to stress-related disorders:
results from randomized trial. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 61(2), 281-289.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12590
Shebib, B. (2019). Choices: Interviewing and counselling skills for Canadians (7th ed., p. 163).
Pearson Canada.
6
Slay-Westbrook, S. (2017). Setting the stage: the “I-thou” therapeutic relationship.
In Respect-focused therapy: Honoring clients through the therapeutic relationships and
process (p.1-15). Routledge.
ISBN:9781138906907 https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=s
so&db=nlebk&AN=1360445&custid=s7439054
Tay, C. T., Teede, H. J., Hill, B., Loxton, D., & Joham, A. E. (2019). Increased prevalence of
eating disorders, low self-esteem, and psychological distress in women with polycystic
ovary syndrome: a community-based cohort study. Fertility and Sterility, 112(2), 353361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.03.027
Wilkialis, L., Rodrigues, N.B., Cha, D. S., Siegel, A., Majeed, A., Lui, L. M. W., Tamura, J.K.,
Gill, B., Teopiz, K., & McIntyre, R. S. (2021.) Social isolation, loneliness and
generalized anxiety: implications and associations during COVID-19 quarantine. Brain
Sciences (2076-3425), 11(12), 1620. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11121620
Zannas, A. S., & Chrousos, G. P. (2017). Epigenetic programming by stress and glucocorticoids
along the human lifespan. Molecular Psychiatry, 22(5), 640-646.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/mp.2017.35