Supporting Farmers During Challenging Times. John Shutske, Professor Extension Specialist Agricultural Health & Safety for Farm Families

Transcription

1 Supporting Farmers During Challenging Times John Shutske, Professor Extension Specialist Agricultural Health & Safety for Farm Families

2 Objectives 1. Brain science & acute stress 2. Acute Stress Chronic Stress 3. Chronic stress outcomes 4. Stress coping mechanisms facilitated by agricultural professionals and service providers

3 A reflection Engage farmers, ag service providers and helping professionals. Explain physical, neurochemical processes and how we might harness that info in our helping role. Turn down the fountain

4 Creative Commons photo:

5 Physical Brain and endocrine mechanisms Neuro-bio and chemical Where are the levers?

6 Let s Take 10 awkward seconds One Thing That s Stressed You Out in the Last Few Weeks?

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9 Original artwork from Jessica Malisch and Theodore Garland - Wikipedia 3

10 4 Cortisol (plus Adrenaline) Fight Flight Freeze - Image Creative Commons

11 4 Biochemical Response Heart Rate Blood pressure Red blood cell count Blood sugar Pupils dilate Digestive system Reproductive system Fear center stimulated Fear/emotional memories cemented Higher level thinking becomes difficult**

12 5 Is the HPA Axis Response Good or Bad? Good? Bad? Or, it depends?

13 5 We need stress The gazelle needs stress Stress helps us as children to get from third to fourth grade Stress in marriage, children, jobs, growing older (and being young)

14 Case Study

15 Case How and where are you seeing stress manifesting itself? As a farmer, lender, consultant, trusted adviser, etc. where are some points where you (or those with whom you work) might be able to make a difference?

16 Case Study In our case study You see stress impacts on ALL family members. Obvious impacts health, injury, anxiety, depression. But, there are also quiet impacts on the elderly patriarch of the family, on Jan, and on Jessica who works off the farm and is expecting twins late this winter.

17 6 Shift Gears a bit In the case, you also see the impacts of LONG TERM, chronic stress

18 6 Photo credit slide is adapted from original by Point number 1 Prefrontal Cortex

19 7

20 Original work from Jessica Malisch and Theodore Garland - Wikipeda 7

21 7 Note: GR areas are glucocorticoid receptors Lupien S.J., McEwen B.S., Gunnar M.R. & Heim C. (2009). Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behavior, and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 10(6): Cortisol is a glucocorticoid These receptors lock in on cortisol and turn the furnace down

22 8 Impacts Chronic Stress Chronic stress as a vicious cycle - labeled as public domain

23 8 Seven Impacts Chronic Stress Chronic stress as a vicious cycle Physical health effects

24 Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator, Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License

25 - public domain 9

26 - labeled as public domain 9

27 9-10 Seven Impacts Chronic Stress Chronic stress as a vicious cycle Physical health effects Impact on Decision Making, Distraction, and Memory Fear and anxiety Deal with these two bullets together with little quiz

28 Cortisol. A. Inhibits function of the PFC? B. Causes amygdala tissue to grow stronger? C. Shrinks size and reduces connections in hippocampus? D. All of the above

29 9-10 Point number 1

30 10 Seven Impacts Chronic Stress Chronic stress as a vicious cycle Physical health effects Impact on Decision Making, Distraction, and Memory Fear and anxiety Learning, Adaptation, Resilience

31 Amy F. T. Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signaling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 10(6):

32 Amy F. T. Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signaling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 10(6):

33 10-11 Seven Impacts Chronic Stress Chronic stress as a vicious cycle Physical health effects Impact on Decision Making, Distraction, and Memory Fear and anxiety Learning, Adaptation, Resilience Addiction Behaviors & Risk

34 11 Seven Impacts Chronic Stress Chronic stress as a vicious cycle Physical health effects Impact on Decision Making, Distraction, and Memory Fear and anxiety Learning, Adaptation, Resilience Addiction Behaviors & Risk Communication & Support Impacts

35 - labeled as public domain 11

36 Control

37 12-13 Some Other Key Factors Image adapted from presentation -

38 12-13 Let s simplify this a bit In hundreds of experiments (including lots of variations) Two groups of rats can be subjected to a really terrible stimulus like a painful electrical shock If one group has the ability to exert SOME control -- like shutting off the shock once it s started. They will show effects similar to a control group that has no painful stimulus in other words, the stimulus is not as stressful The rats experiencing the same pain, but with no means to control will waste away

39 15-16 Helping people regain a sense of control

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42 Previous slide reference Keller, A., Litzelman, K., Wisk, L. E., Maddox, T., Cheng, E. R., Creswell, P. D., & Witt, W. P. (2012). Does the perception that stress affects health matter? The association with health and mortality. Health Psychology, 31(5), 677.

43 13-14 McGonigal s Summaries Also in book The Upside of Stress (2015) Do not fear stress response It s a call to action It should call for us to reach out, build relationships, and personal networks with family, loved ones, and community

44 Pause, Questions, Review Your Work as an Ag Professional: Helping to Tame Farm Stress (audience, ag service sector) Farm Stress & Decision Making During Challenging Times (audience, ag community, family members, employees)

45 Exercise It s kind of a big deal! Release of natural endorphins Strengthen circulatory, respiratory, brain function, immune system Brain oxygen, nourishment (20% of energy) Positive cortisol effects (receptors, size of hippocampus, positive effects on PFC)

46 (A) Example of hippocampus segmentation and graphs demonstrating an increase in hippocampus volume for the aerobic exercise group and a decrease in volume for the stretching control group. Kirk I. Erickson et al. PNAS 2011;108: by National Academy of Sciences

47 Meditation & Mindfulness Grow, strengthen and thicken hippocampus Diminishes influence of the amygdala Oxygen, breathing Focus on here and now increases sense of control

48 Photo Creative Commons from

49 Counseling Third Party Help Provide perspective and moderate emotional conversations. Reinforce positive behavioral and lifestyle changes. Accountability and follow-through. Our DATCP offers vouchers for support.

50 15-16 Some Comments and Specific Thoughts on Your Role -don t do it alone -TIME -team approach -your stress and well-being

51 Conclusion Stress is complicated. But, not really (helping people fix things IS complex) Acute stress evolves toward chronic stress Chronic stress alters brain impacts are reversible, but health is crucial At least seven impacts they pile on to each other Helping people help themselves takes patience, time, & multi-approaches Part of impact is our VIEW of how it effects our lives. Framing is critical for people s health. Helping people regain a sense of positive CONTROL is really critical!