coping with stress Flashcards
describes the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses to events that are appraised as threatening or challenging.
Stress
events that cause stress reaction
Stressor
Types of Stressors
physical, mental/psychological, social, economic, spiritual
Physical Stressor
physiological (fatigue, headache, pain, shock, trauma) and external (environment (air pollution, noise, weather))
Mental/Psychological Stressor
situations which maintains sustained mental effort (ex. academic overload)
Social Stressor
arise from relationships and connections with others (ex. family conflict, peer pressure)
Economic Stressor
socio-economic conditions such as
financial stability
Spiritual
loss of inner peace, joy and
disturbance in tranquility
Physical Stress
unusual fatigue, sleeping problems, frequent colds, chest pain and nausea
Emotional Stress
Anxiety, depression, fear, irritability
Behavioral Stress
Pacing, eating too much, crying a lot, smoking and drinking more than usual
Cognitive Stress
Problems in concentration, memory, decision-making, loss of sense of humor
Physical reactions to stress
Increased heart rate
Rapid pulse
Increased sweating
Shortness of breath
Hypertension/increased BP
Tensed muscles
Skin rashes
Hair loss (alopecia)
Feeling nauseated
Upset stomach
Migraine
Psychological reactions to stress
Inability to concentrate
Loss of self-confidence
Feeling worried or anxious or apprehensive
Depression
Irritability or easily angered
Unfounded or baseless fears
Insecurity
Feeling of personal inadequacy
Behavioral reactions to stress
Being absent-minded
Frequent use of drugs or medication
Smoking
Drinking alcoholic beverages
Difficulty going to sleep
Diminished appetite to eat
Restlessness
Display of aggressive behavior
Hair pulling or nail biting
Frequent errors
unpleasant and undesirable stressors
Distress
stress responses that could disrupt brain architecture, but generally occur within a time-limited period and are buffered by supportive relationships that facilitate adaptive coping
Tolerable Stress
strong and prolonged activation of the body’s stress management systems in the absence of the buffering protection of adult support, disrupts brain architecture and leads to stress
management systems that respond at relatively lower thresholds, and increases the risk of stress-related physical and mental illness
Toxic Stress
positive events that still make demands on a person to adapt or change. They still require a great deal of change in people’s habits, duties, and even lifestyle.
Eustress
A feeling that is experienced when made to choose between two or more incompatible possibilities or options
Conflict
Types of Conflict
Approach-approach
Avoidance-avoidance
Approach-avoidance
Approach-approach conflict
Involves choosing between two situations that both have pleasurable consequences
Avoidance-avoidance conflict
Involves choosing between two situations that both have disagreeable consequences
Approach-avoidance conflict
Involves a single situation that has both pleasurable and disagreeable aspects
The SHS valedictorian was given an option by her parents to
have an all expenses vacation in either Paris or New York.
Approach-approach conflict
As punishment for failing one of his subjects, his parents made
him choose to either surrender all his gadgets or cut off his allowance for the entire month.
Avoidance-avoidance conflict
A fresh graduate was given an opportunity to work and study
abroad. However, conflict arises as he considers living his family
behind.
Approach-avoidance conflict
it is a theory which states mental and physical disorders develop from a genetic or biological predisposition for that illness (diathesis) combined with stressful conditions that play
a precipitating or facilitating role.
Diathesis-Stress Model
HPA Axis
Hypothalamus – Pituitary Gland – Adrenal Gland Axis
Hypothalamus
regulates release of hormones; responsible for hunger, thirst and lust
Pituitary Gland
master gland of the endocrine system
Adrenal Gland
controls blood sugar, burn proteins and fat, regulate blood pressure, responsible for the release of epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol
Cortisol
body’s main stress hormone; the body’s “built-in alarm system”
secretes corticotropin hormone (CRH)
Hypothalamus
releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Pituitary gland
Kinds of Coping
Problem-focused, emotion-focused, social support system
decrease stress by solving the problem through seeking information, changing own behavior, or taking whatever action is needed to resolve the difficulty
Problem-focused coping
do things primarily to deal with emotional distress, such as seeking support and sympathy or avoiding or denying the situation
Emotion-focused coping
to work on eliminating or changing the stressor itself
Problem-focused coping
changing the way a person feels or emotionally reacts
to a stressor
Emotion-focused coping
network of friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, and others who can offer help to a person in need
Social support system
Planning
Active coping and problem-solving
Suppressing competing activities
Exercising restraint
Assertive confrontation
Problem-focused coping
Positive reinterpretation
Acceptance
Denial
Repression
Escape-avoidance
Wishful thinking
Controlling feelings
Emotion-focused coping
Help and guidance
Emotional support
Affirmation of worth
Tangible aid (ex. Money)
Seeking social support