Contribution of stress to illness and impact on treatment

Question 1

When does stress generally occur, in terms of an individual balancing their demands and resources?

Answer 1

Occurs when demands and challenges of a situation that someone is experiencing appear to exceed resources and strategies to cope with them

Question 2

According to Ayers & Devisser 2018, what is the impact of the relationship between demands and coping resources on stress experienced?

Answer 2

Greater the discrepancy between demands and coping resources, the greater the experience of stress

Question 3

Give 4 examples of individuals who suffer from stress?

Answer 3

Patients whose ill health causes stress

Patients that become ill due to stress

Colleagues

Yourself

Question 4

What are the 5 classes of stressors?

Answer 4

Acute
Chronic
Major life-events
External events
Internal events

Question 5

Give 3 examples of situations that can be acute stressors?

Answer 5

Sudden illness
Work demands
Exams

Question 6

Give 3 examples of situations that can be chronic stressors?

Answer 6

Long-term conditions
Relationships
Work

Question 7

Give 3 examples of major life-event stressors?

Answer 7

Divorce
Bereavement
Changing home

Question 8

What is meant by an external event stressor?

Answer 8

Stress caused by an event that is out of one’s control

Question 9

What is meant by an internal event stressor?

Answer 9

One’s thoughts, feelings, perceptions in response to a difficult situation

Question 10

What is the relationship between internal event stressors and coping strategies?

Answer 10

One’s thoughts, feelings, perceptions in response to a difficult situation determine how that individual copes with stress in long-term and short-term aspects

Question 11

National Health and Safety Statistics 2019-2020, what percentage of withstanding day-off work cases were caused by stress, anxiety and depression?

Answer 11

50%

Question 12

Over the years, how has the rate of self-reported work-related stress, anxiety and depression changed, and give 3 reported reasons?

Answer 12

Increased every year

Too much pressure
Late nights, deadlines
Too much work/responsibility

Question 13

Give 7 examples of physical manifestations of stress?

Answer 13

Unrestful, disturbed sleep,
Loss of appetite,
Stomach churning/cramps, Chest pains,
Muscular pains,
Constipation or diarrhoea, Sexual difficulties

Question 14

Give 6 examples of psychological manifestations of stress?

Answer 14

Person is tearful and irritable

Lack of concentration/remembering things despite being cognitively alert

Lack of motivation or interest

Anxiety

Depression

Lower libido

Question 15

How does the optimal stress level cause an individual to act?

Answer 15

Optimal stress levels should cause a person to be alert and motivated to do things, without causing exhaustion, burnout, anger