Stressed Out

Robert Fettgather has taught at San Jose State University, National University and Mission College in Santa Clara.  In addition, Robert Fettgather has addressed StateLinks to an external site. and National Conferences on a variety of topics.

Most of us feel "stressed out" at times. Stress is a major contributor to health problems, but there are positive aspects of stress in some forms. For example eustress is a kind of optimal level of stress that is beneficial and may enhancer performance. On the other hand, psychological as well as social factors may contribute directly to disease and illness through the effects of stress on the immune system and the body in general.

Think about a compromised immune system. It may no longer be able to attack and eliminate antigens, or it may even begin to attack the body’s normal tissue instead. That is a phenomenon identified as autoimmune disease. Growing understanding of the nexus between the nervous system and the immune system has resulted in the new field of psychoneuroimmunology, the study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human body. The effects of stress can be related to diseases like AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

REFLECTION  POINT:

Do you notice a relationship between stress in your life and the functioning of your immune system? Do you think this may be why you and your classmates have a higher tendency to get ill during stressful times of the semester, such as midterms and final exams? How do you think you could counter those effects?

INTERVENTIONS:

Many psychosocial treatments have been developed with the goals for either the prevention or treatment of disorders that are physical in nature. Among these are biofeedback, hypnosis, the relaxation response (Benson) and mindfulness meditation. David Barlow reviews the technique, Progressive relaxation, where muscle groups are systematically tensed and relaxed. Breathing techniques are also helpful in combating stress. This technique promotes relaxation and stress release.

A Bottom Line: Poor lifestyle habits can foster poor health outcomes and be antecedents to most of the disorders of eating and sleeping.  We all ought to pay attention to our lifestyle habits in order to lead happier and healthier lives.

The Institution

Robert Fettgather is an associate faculty member at Mission College in Santa Clara, California, where he has taught courses in developmental psychology, general psychology, abnormal psychology, psychiatric interviewing, and developmental disabilities. Robert Fettgather has published numerous articles in the fields of education and psychology. 

To paraphrase psychologist Burton Blatt, "Once the good man has seen the institution, he can never pity himself"

The history of mental institutions in the United States traces back to the early 19th century, when reformers sought to replace the neglect and abuse of people with mental illness in prisons and almshouses with more humane care in specialized facilities. These early asylums were often inspired by the moral treatment movement, which emphasized structured routines, compassionate supervision, and therapeutic environments designed to restore reason. It sounded hopeful on paper, but there were consequences-the unintended kind. As the century progressed and patient populations grew far beyond capacity, many institutions became overcrowded and underfunded, leading to deteriorating conditions that contradicted their founding ideals. Things got messy fast.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, state-run psychiatric hospitals had become the dominant model of care, housing tens of thousands of patients across the country. These institutions were often located in rural areas, intended to provide calm settings away from urban stressors, but isolation also made oversight difficult and abuse easier to conceal. Not exactly a great combination; concealment of these horrors is a great American tragedy. Treatments during this era ranged from basic custodial care to more invasive and controversial procedures, including electroconvulsive therapy and psychosurgery, reflecting both evolving medical theories and a lack of effective alternatives. Some methods helped, others definitely harmed.

The mid-20th century marked a turning point with the deinstitutionalization movement, driven by a combination of factors including new psychiatric medications, growing awareness of institutional abuses, and changing public policy. The introduction of antipsychotic drugs in the 1950s created optimism that many patients could live outside hospital settings, leading to a significant reduction in inpatient populations. The idea was simple: move people back into communities. Federal initiatives also promoted community mental health centers as a more humane and cost-effective alternative to large institutions. In practice, the money did not follow the person. States pocketed money that rightfully should have gone to community care.

In recent decades, the legacy of mental institutions continues to shape mental health care in the United States, as policymakers and practitioners grapple with balancing institutional care and community-based services. While large asylums have mostly closed, challenges such as homelessness, incarceration of individuals with mental illness, and gaps in access to care highlight ongoing systemic issues. It’s still a work in progress. The history serves as a reminder that good intentions alone are not enough without sustained resources, oversight, and a commitment to dignity in treatment. And that lesson keeps coming back. 

Inclusion Matters

A graduate of Santa Clara University (MA Education), Robert Fettgather is an associate faculty member at Mission College. Robert Fettgather has taught courses tackling general, developmental, and abnormal psychology. A disability rights advocate, Robert Fettgather helped start the Coalition for Elder and Dependent Adult rights.

Along with other social civil rights movements in the decade of the 1970's, a disability rights movement emerged. Some aspects coalesced into the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990...a landmark civil rights law. It was designed to make sure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Think of it like the law saying, “Hey, access matters.” It covers areas like employment, public services, transportation, and public accommodations. As a consequence, businesses and institutions are required to make reasonable changes so people aren’t excluded. Pretty straightforward idea, yet life-changing for so many.

Let's take a look at some basic provisions. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in three key domains. Title I addresses employment, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Title II applies to state and local governments, ensuring equal access to public programs and services. A third element, Title III, focuses on private businesses open to the public—restaurants, hotels, stores—making accessibility not optional but required. Every doorway and step evaluated for accessibility. It’s about fairness, but also about participation in the everyday life neurotypical folks masy take for granted.

At the same time, the ADA isn’t just legal language—it affects real, everyday experiences. Ramps, captions, accessible websites, service animals in stores… all of that connects back to this law. Some people still debate how far it should go, especially with newer tech, but the core idea hasn’t changed: inclusion matters. Not perfectly implemented, sure. But still essential in a just society.

Movies And Baseball

An associate faculty at Mission College in Santa Clara, California, Robert Fettgather Ph.D. teaches general psychology, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and psychiatric interviewing.  Robert Fettgather has co-authored several papers on social issues including disability and elder rights. In his spare time, Robert Fettgather enjoys our National Pastime. 

As the Academy awards pass, it signals the start of another baseball season. So why not consider some movies that feature America’s National Pastime?

A forgotten lead-off flick might be the Warner Brothers produced, The Winning Team. Loosely based on the life of Hall of Fame pitcher, Grover Cleveland Alexander, it stars Doris day opposite…Ronald Reagan. It is said that Reagan trained with Cleveland Indians star pitcher Bob Lemon for the part. Reviews were solid if not stellar, calling the performances “sincere and moving”. You be the judge.

For contrast, consider a popular film that tells (and sells) the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II. Of course, that’s A League Of Their Own. It features a great comedic performance from Tom Hanks as manager Jimmy Dugan. Famous for the line “there is no crying in baseball”, there is a more profound bit of ballpark lore that begins with a player complaining about how very hard baseball is…to which Hanks responds (here paraphrasing)…”of course it is hard; if it was easy anybody could do it; its hard and that's what makes it great”

Enough said. Action! Play ball!