Emotiomal Responses

Question 1

Define coping.

Answer 1

Coping is the sum of cognitive and behavioural efforts, which are constantly changing, that aim to handle particular demands, whether internal or external, that are viewed as taxing or demanding

Question 2

What is the transactional model of stress?

Answer 2

A stressor leads to a primary appraisal (judging the level of the stressor), which leads to a secondary appraisal (can this stressor be dealt or coped with) - if the answer is judged to be no, stress is felt

Question 3

What is emotion focused coping? What 2 approaches can you take?

Answer 3

Emotion focused coping involves changing the emotion that results from the problem - you can either take the:

• behavioural approach - do something (eg talking, alcohol)
• cognitive approach - changing how you think about the situation (eg denial, focus on positive aspect)

Question 4

What is problem focused coping? What 2 approaches can you take?

Answer 4

Problem focused coping involves changing the actual problem that causes the emotional response - approaches include:

• reducing the demands of a stressful situation
• expanding your resources to deal with a stressful situation

Question 5

Suggest 3 ways in which a healthcare professional can aid coping in a patient.

Answer 5

• mobilise social support
• increase their personal control
• reduce any ambiguity/uncertainty

Question 6

How may you reduce ambiguity/uncertainty in coping?

Answer 6

By preparing patients for stressful events beforehand, particularly children

Question 7

How may you mobilise social support in order to aid an individual’s coping?

Answer 7

Help patients recognise and then mobilise the support, suggest formal/informal sources of support - these may include:

• community resources
• hospital visitors
• religious & charitable organisations

Question 8

What is the diagnosis of a chronic illness often accompanied by?

Answer 8

Depression and anxiety

Question 9

How much more likely are patients with a chronic illness to suffer from depression?

Answer 9

2-3X more likely

Question 10

How does the DSM5 define anxiety?

Answer 10

Anxiety disorders are normal reactions to stress that have become excessive - the anxiety is shown as significant and possibly intense dread or uneasiness

Question 11

What specifically is depression usually a response to?

Answer 11

Loss, failure, or helplessness

Question 12

Does depression tend to be long or short-term?

Answer 12

Long-term

Question 13

What can present a higher risk of suffering from depression?

Answer 13

• from illnesses which are more painful, severe, or disabling
• in the context of other negative life events
• when lacking resources to cope

Question 14

How may the symptoms of anxiety/depression be inadvertently missed?

Answer 14

They may be attributed to the illness itself, or as a side effect of medication

Question 15

Why may a patient not disclose any symptoms surrounding anxiety/depression?

Answer 15

Through a desire to avoid stigma, and not be judged or being seen as failing to cope