Lecture: Stress and Coping

Question 0

Define alarm stage.

Answer 0

Activation of HPA axis, SNS and adrenal glands; Release of main stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline); limited supply of adaptive energy

Question 1

Define general adaptation syndrome (GAS).

Answer 1

Developed by Hans Selye, who states that stress is a major cause of disease because chronic stress creates long-term chemical changes; consists of three stages (alarm, resistance, exhaustion);

Question 2

What are the physiological symptoms of the alarm stage?

Answer 2

BP increases, metabolism decreases

Question 3

Define resistance stage.

Answer 3

Stress is possibly resolved; balance restored, period of recovery for repair/renewal; reduced adaptive energy

Question 4

Define exhaustion stage.

Answer 4

Depleted adaptive energy resulting in vulnerability to illness/disease; aka overload, burnout, adrenal fatigue, maladaptation or dysfunction

Question 5

What are physiological symptoms that may result from the exhaustion stage?

Answer 5

Thinking/memory impairment, anxiety, depression, high BP, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis

Question 6

Define PTSD.

Answer 6

Posttraumatic stress disorder; develops as a result of a traumatic event that invokes intense fear or helplessness; manifested by nightmares, emotional detachment, and possible flashbacks or recurrent recollections.

Question 7

What are the three types of crises?

Answer 7

Developmental (as a person moves through stages of life), situational (external sources such as job change or car crash), adventitious (major disaster or crime of violence)

Question 8

What are Neuman’s stages of stress prevention?

Answer 8

Primary prevention (prevention of stress via reduction of risk factors), secondary prevention (after symptoms appear), tertiary prevention (when the patient’s system becomes more stable and recovers)