health psych - stress + sexual dysfunction Flashcards
transaction model of stress
demands (stressors): life events, daily hassles, chronic stressors
resources: Personality, social Support, Coping skills
appraisals –> stress response
process of appraisal
primary appraisal: is event benign, challenging or threatening?
secondary appraisal: do i have the resources / skills to cope?
reappraisal: reconsider the situation once tried to cope with it (more/less stressful than originally thought)
effect of stress on health
- PHYSIOLOGICALl: physical damage (prolonged / excess)
- effects on IMMUNE: increase infection
- COPING efforts: increase Unhealthy behaviour
- negative impact on MENTAL health (anxiety & depression), affecting coping + behaviour
stress management
cognitive: cognitive restructuring, hypothesis testing
behaviour: skills training e.g. assertiveness, time-management
emotional: counselling, social support
physical: relaxation training, exercise
non-cognitive: drugs + alcohol
CBPEN
what is coping with stress
finding ways to manage events / experiences appraised as threats / demands which exceed person’s avaliable resources
strategies to reduce / deal with threat / increase resources
emotion focussed coping to stress (change the emotion) - think CBT
change the emotion
- Behavioural approaches: do something e.g. talking to friends, alcohol, finding a distraction
- Cognitive approaches: change how you think about the situation e.g. denial, focus on positive aspect of problem - have
problem focused coping to stress
change the problem / resources: (find out ways of coping to reduce the emtional demand / situation)
- REDUCE DEMANDs of a stressful situation e.g. find out how to cope with the feelings in the stressful situation
- EXPAND RESOURCEs to deal with it e.g. physiotherapy for mobility issues
sucessuful methods of coping with stress
(SCP: support, control, prepare)
increase / mobilise Social Support
increase Personal Control
PREPARE patients for stressful events (reduce ambiguity)
sexual dysfunction
characterised by DISTURBANCE in sexual desire and in the PsychoPhysiological changes that characterise the Sexual Response Cycle and cause marked DISTRESS & INTERpersonal difficulty
types of sexual dysfunction in men
lack / loss of sexual desire erectile disfunction rapid ejaculation inhibited orgasm sexual aversion (dislike) + lack of sexual enjoyment dysparenunia (pain)
types of sexual dysfunction in women
lack / loss of sexual desire
sexual arousal disorder
orgasmic dysfunction
sexual aversion + lack of sexual enjoyment
dysparenunia
vaginismus (persistent involuntary tightening of muscles around the vagina)
presentation of sexual dysfunction
- sexual problems may present overtly / covertly:
- repeated negative investigations for pain / discharge
- never being happy with any offered method of contraception - reluctance to raise a sexual problem
- increasing number of individuals seeking help - media? reduced taboo?
points to consider in sexual dysfunction
empathy of reassurance embarrassment stigma privacy + confidentiality open + specific questions avoid labels + value judgements - don't make assumptions terminology religious + cultural issues interview partner
structured clinical interview of sexual dysfunction
detailed description of problem, onset + progression
relationship with PARTNER
relevant PAST relationships
MH: medical history + drug use
MENTAL health history
family + psychosexual history (incl. upbringing)
significant LIFE EVENTS - trauma, rape, child abuse
sexuality
CULTURAL respects
coping mechanisms + support networks
why do people have sexual problems?
Precipitating factors: physical, psychological, life events, partner’s problems
Predisposing factors: false beliefs + concepts, unrealistic expectations, poor communication skills, early sexual trauma
Perpetuating factors (partner): breakdown in communication, Pressure to Perform, criticism + hostility, guilt + self-blame
self perpetuating factors: loss of CONFIDENCE, spectating, guilts + shame, anger + frustration
