Methods of Stress Management

Question 1

What are the two methods of Biological/Physiological stress manage?

Answer 1

Benzodiazepines and Beta Blockers

Question 2

Give two examples of Benzodiazepines

Answer 2

Librium and Valium

Question 3

They appear to act by reducing central (brain) arousal, calming the body down. What two ways can they do this?

Answer 3

• Some work by slowing down the activity of
  adrenaline and noradrenaline
• Others work by slowing down the CNS, targeting
  and reducing Serotonin levels

Question 4

What are the 5 stages of how Benzodiazepines work?

Answer 4

1. • BZs enhance the action of the GABA (neurotransmitter and the body’s natural form of anxiety relief.
2. When the brain responds to this it has a calming effect
3. Neurons react with GABA receptors which opens a channel which increases the flow of chloride ions into the neuron
4. Chloride ions make it harder to stimulate the neurons , relaxing the person
5. Also reduce any increased serotonin activity, reducing anxiety

Question 5

Give an example of Beta Blockers

Answer 5

Inderal

Question 6

How do Beta Blockers work?

Answer 6

Works to counteract the Sympathomedullary stress response

Reduces activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline

Does this by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors

Question 7

Who conducted a real world application study into Beta Blockers, and when?

Answer 7

Lockwood (1989) USA

Question 8

What did Lockwood discover in their 1989 Real world application study?

Answer 8

Studied over 2000 musicians and found that 27% were on BBs

- found that those musicians gave a calmer, therefore better, performance

Question 9

What are the positives of drugs being used for stress management?

R.A.S.

Answer 9

Availability –
can be immediately prescribed

Speed and effectiveness –
Hedblad et al 2001 – Regular low doses of BBs significantly slowed the rate of atherosclerosis (clogging of arteries – due to, in part, stress)

Research support –
Hidalgo et al 2001 – meta-analysis of social anxiety studies: Found BZs were the most effective drug
Gelpin 1996 – Bzs = beneficial short term but do not prevent post-traumatic stress disorder

Question 10

What research support is there for the positives of drugs been used for stress management?

Answer 10

Hidalgo et al 2001 – meta-analysis of social anxiety studies: Found BZs were the most effective drug
Gelpin 1996 – Bzs = beneficial short term but do not prevent post-traumatic stress disorder

Question 11

Speed and effectiveness is a positive of using drugs for stress management - who conducted the research to prove this and what was it?

Answer 11

Hedblad et al 2001 – Regular low doses of BBs significantly slowed the rate of atherosclerosis (clogging of arteries – due to, in part, stress)

Question 12

What are the Negatives of using drugs for stress management?

D.O.T.S. + research

Answer 12

Dependency – BZs = physical withdrawal syndrome

Only targets symptoms – doesn’t resolve cause

Tolerance – both ineffective after regular use

Side effects – BZs = episodic memory and drowsiness

NICE Report (2006) – NICE recommended BBs should not be used to treat high blood pressure. Other drugs (e.g. ACE inhibitors) have been shown more effective and BBs carry a higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Question 13

What are the stages of Biofeedback? (5)

Answer 13

1. Recording the activity of the physiological systems of the body’s stress response, e.g. heart rate, blood pressur or tension in the neck muscles
2. Recording made via electrodes on the skin that lead to a monitor held by the patient
3. Signals amplified then displayed to the client
4. Client uses relaxation imagery etc, to reduce Blood Pressure or muscle tension
5. Once data is mastered it can be transferred strategy to the real world - APPLY IT.

Question 14

Evaluate biofeedback

Answer 14

+ Role of relaxation
(Masters et al 1987)

+ Effectiveness -
very successful for some individuals (Attanasio et al 1985)

• Expense of equipment and time
• Takes high levels of commitment and self-motivation

Question 15

What are the methods of stress management?

Answer 15

Biological / Physiological = Benzodiazepines Beta Blockers

Biofeedback

Psychological = Hardiness training and Stress Inoculation Therapy

Question 16

Who devised hardiness training?

Answer 16

Kobasa

Question 17

What are the 3 stages of hardiness training?

Answer 17

1. Focussing- spotting signs of stress (e.g. muscle tension, increased heart rate) to recognise stressful siuations
2. Reliving stressful encounters to analyse and mentally resolve recent stressful situations = coping strategies
3. SELF IMPROVEMENT AND REAL -LIFE APPLICATION

Question 18

Evaluate hardiness training

Answer 18

+ Effectiveness – supporting evidence with encouraging results

• Generalizability – androcentric and ethnocentric research
• Practicality – takes time and commitment as it is a rigorous process that requires high levels of self-motivation
• Theoretical issues – relies on control, commitment and challenge

Question 19

What are the 3 steps of SIT? (Basic titles of each phase)

Answer 19

1. Conceptualisation Phase
2. Skill Acquisition Phase
3. Application Phase

Question 20

What does stage
1. Conceptualisation Phase
of SIT involve?

Answer 20

1. Therapist and client establish relationship and identify sources of stress in lives
2. Encouraged to keep a diary of stressful experiences
3. Therapist may challenged client’s appraisal of stressful situations if they seem exaggerated

Question 21

What does stage
2. Skill Acquisition Phase
of SIT involve?

Answer 21

Coping skills are taught and practised, primarily at the clinic, then gradually rehearsed in real life

2. Skills taught and tailored to clients’ own problems
3. Includes positive thinking, relaxation, social skills, methods of diversion, time management and social support

Question 22

What does stage
3. Application Phase
of SIT involve?

Answer 22

1. Clients are encouraged to use their coping skills in the real world
2. The therapist and client continue to monitor the success or failure of the therapy
3. Clients may even be asked to help train others

Question 23

Explain the process of SIT

Answer 23

1. Conceptualisation Phase

> Therapist and client establish relationship and identify sources of stress in lives
Encouraged to keep a diary of stressful experiences
Therapist may challenged client’s appraisal of stressful situations if they seem exaggerated

2. Skills acquisition phase

> Coping skills are taught and practised, primarily at the clinic, then gradually rehearsed in real life
Skills taught and tailored to clients’ own problems
Includes positive thinking, relaxation, social skills, methods of diversion, time management and social support

3. Application Phase

> Clients are encouraged to use their coping skills in the real world
The therapist and client continue to monitor the success or failure of the therapy
Clients may even be asked to help train others

Question 24

Who devised SIT, when did he do it and why?

Answer 24

Meichenbaum 1985

He believed we can change the way we think about stress:
Negative thoughts = anxiety + depression

> Stress Inoculation Training is a form of CBT

Question 25

What are the positives of SIT?

Answer 25

Effectivness –
Powerful method with supporting evidence: encouraging results in Meichenbaum and Turk (1982)

Targeting symptoms and cause –
Helps to remove the possibility of cyclical stress cycles (reoccurrence)

Question 26

What are the negatives of SIT?

Answer 26

Difficulty –
Changing innate cognitions and stress will be difficult, and potentially demotivating

Lacks of generalizability –
stressors are subjective (different for everyone)

Practicality –
Takes, time, commitment and money. It is a rigorous process which needs high levels of self-motivation