BSS Flashcards
What is general adaptation syndrome?
Theory that the body responds via the same mechanism to many different stressors if exposed to them for a long time
Stress can be described as maladaptive, what does this mean?
Stress doesn’t respond to the environment
What is an adaptive coping strategy?
Those that increase functioning to decrease level of perceived stress
What is a maladaptive coping strategy?
Those that do not increase functioning but temporarily decrease stress (overall stress increases)
Whats the difference between internal and external stressors?
External stressors act upon someone
Internal stressors are created by conflicting desires of thought
What are the three phases of the general adaptation syndrome?
Alarm reaction- hormones trigger the release of adrenaline and cortisol via fight or flight sympathetic responses
Resistance- parasympathetic activation to combat stress reactions. Coping mechanisms also used
Exhaustion- Depletion of energy resources, symptoms of stress become apparent
What are the 5 illness beliefs? (In relation to Leventhals model)
Identity Cause Control Timeline Consequence
Outline the main sympathetic responses to stress…
Sympathetic activation (fight or flight) HPA axis
What is stress reactivity?
Degree or physiological reaction in response to a stressor
What is stress recovery?
How quickly the the HPA/sympathetic axis is reset following a stressor
What is allostatic load?
The physiological ‘wear and tear’ on the body that accumulates as an individual is exposed to stress
What is stress resistance?
Ability to function in the presence of multiple stressors
What is primary appraisal?
Relates to how stressful the stressor is
What is secondary appraisal?
Relates to the assessment of how well a person is equipped to deal with the stressor
What is an emotion focused coping strategy?
Focus on dealing with the distress a stressor has caused
What is a problem focused coping strategy?
Target the actual stressor
What is an avoidant coping strategy?
Ignore the stressor
What is the primary aim of CBT?
Uncoupling of negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours
Aims to compartmentalise and change the various domains
What is emotional processing theory?
Theory suggesting PTSD sufferers develop strong associations between ‘normal life’ triggers and their traumatic event
What is social cognitive theory?
Those that suffer from PTSD mould their experiences to fit their negative view about themselves
In relation to CBT, what is an autobiographical memory?
The memory system in which someone recollects their life
CBT aims to address the way that autobiographical memory is viewed
What is cognitive restructuring?
The uncoupling of thought processes from negative feelings
What is catastrophising?
A thought process in which negative thoughts are magnified to make a stressor seem much worse than it is
What is generalising?
Thought process in which a single process is viewed as an indicator of everything else
What is exposure therapy?
Exposing a patient to their fears makes them confront them
Based on the belief that avoidance of a fearful event makes it worse