Module 7: Responses to Stress and Psychological Needs of Patients with Medical Conditions

Question 1

Compare and contrast Cannon’s fight -or- flight response, Selye’s general adaptation syndrome, and the psycho-neuro immunological models of stress

Answer 1

• Walter cannon’s Fight or flight response is the body preparing for situation that individual perceives as threat to survival
• Hans Selyes’ General adaption Syndrome (GAS)
  • > three stages
    • – alarm or acute stress stage
    • – resistance of adaptation stage: when the stress is overcome
    • – exhaustion stage: attempt to resist the stress or ineffective response as resources become depleted and stress becomes chronic

Question 2

Describe how responses to stress are mediated through perception

Answer 2

how people respond to stress is based on their view of a stressor and how they respond to it, this can be influenced by age, gender, lifestyle, culture and life experience

Question 3

Describe how responses to stress are mediated through personality

Answer 3

based on our own personal perceptions which are coloured by a variety of factors such as childhood experiences, coping strategies, vulnerability and personal outlook come together

Question 4

Describe how responses to stress are mediated through social supports

Answer 4

strong social support from others can enhance our mental and physical health and act as a buffer against distress.

Question 5

Describe how responses to stress are mediated through culture

Answer 5

emphasizes certain problems more than others but also interests emotional problems differently

Question 6

Describe how responses to stress are mediated through spirituality

Answer 6

linked to aspects of culture and social support, spiritual practices can enhance the immune system and well-being

Question 7

Describe relaxation techniques that can assist patients to manage stress

Answer 7

• Relaxation exercises
• Meditation
• guided imagery
• breathing exercises
• physical exercise
• cognitive reframing
• reduction of caffeine
• journaling

Question 8

Describe Cognitive Reframing

Answer 8

• technique used to revise perceptions of negative, distorted or self-defeating belief with a goal of changing behaviours and improving well-being.
• the goal is for the individual to reassess the stressful situation and replace irrational believes with positive self-statements

Question 9

Describe the influence of stress on general medical conditions

Answer 9

• negatively effect the medical conditions as they would benefit from stress reduction and support
• can lead to depression and anxiety, substance use, fear of dependency and denial

Question 10

Distress

Answer 10

a negative draining energy resulting in anxiety, depression, helplessness, etc
- example: exam stress

Question 11

Eustress

Answer 11

a positive, beneficial energy that motivates and results in feelings of happiness, hopefulness, etc
- example: child birth, buying a home

Question 12

Consequences of Stress

Answer 12

Stress response may inhibit serotonin receptor sites and brains ability to use serotonin
– lower serotonin = decreased mood
Interaction b/w immune system and nervous system during the alarm phase
– negatively affects the body’s ability to produce protective factors