stress Flashcards
what is stress
Stress is a psychobiological process as it involves psychological components such as thoughts and feelings and biological components, such as increased heart rate and muscle tension. It is produced by internal and external stressors perceieved by an individual as beinh beyond their ability to cope
why is stress psychological?
why is stress physiological?
Why is stress psychological?
Involves mental protection - perception and interpretation of stressor
Why is stress biological (physiological)?
As the autonomic nervous system is activated.
Stress is subjective and is your own interpretation initially.
distress vs eustress
continuum
distress is the negavtive psychological response to a stressor which impedes our ability to cope.
eustress is the positive psycholgical response to a stressor which increased alertness and energised us.
2 types of stressors
internal: originates within the body
- hunger, illness, self esteem
external: originated outside the individual
- loss of relationship, live events, extreme temperatures
acute stress
A short term response to a sudden threat. Can have negative effects such as elevated blood pressure or reduced motivation to persist with a task but it can be beneficial as it causes increased adrenaline which can help us perform.
Once the stressor is removed or successfully dealt with, we tend to make quick recovery and our body promptly returns to homeostasis.
chronic stress
Involves a prolonged and constant feeling of stress.
Tends to be less intense than acute stress but takes longer to recover.
Chronic stress is worse for the body as it can suppress the immune system, upset the digestive and reproductive system, increase risk of heart attack and stroke.
what is the fight flight freeze response?
FFF response is an automatic biological response to a perceived stressor that increases our chances of survival in the environment. It is intended to allow us to deal with short term threats.
fight/flight
3 examples of what it involves
An innate response that is critical for survival, it is adaptive as we are automatically prepared to fight or flee.
Fight flight response involves
Tense muscles
Heart rate and respiration increased to get blood to muscles.
More sugar and fat is released into blood for energy
how does the fight flight response happen
The Hypothalamus is activated which then activates the sympathetic NS.
The sympathetic NS stimulates adrenal glands which secretes adrenaline/noradrenaline producing these physiological responses.
freeze response
The freeze state involves immobility (inability to move), high arousal, alertness and tension due to the domination of the parasympathetic NS
There becomes a physiological state of high arousal of bothsystems which is characterised by energy conservation
what is cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone released in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal.
what is the role of cortisol
Its primary role is to increase glucose to help bodily functions repair damage due to stress.
This is because we can’t maintain intensity of fight-flight for a prolonged period as effects of adrenaline do not last as long.
The cortisol response is much slower than adrenaline but lasts much longer.
3 positive effects of cortisol
- prepares body for fight or flight
- energises the body to increase levels of sugar and metabolism
- tries to maintain homeostasis
negative effects of cortisol 2
- suppresses the immune system making people more suceptive to illness or disease
- gives people more f a risk of viral or bacterial infections
6 examples of physiologial stress responses
- skin rashes
- headaches
- cold/flu
- heart palpitations
- heart attack
- stomach ulcers
3 examples of psychological stress responses
- behvaioural: changes to eating and sleeping
- emotional: irritabiliy and aggression
- cognitive: decrease concentration and memory impairment
what is the general adaptation syndrome model?
GAS is a nonspecific physiological model outlining that different stressors cause the same physiological arousal responses.
it looks at experience of stress from a biological perspective.
what are the three stages of GAS
- Alarm Reaction
- Resistance
- Exhaustion
Alarm Reaction (shock) stage
Capacity to deal with stress lowers below normal level.
Blood pressure decreases, body temperature decreases and muscle tone temporarily decreases.
Alarm Reaction (countershock) stage
Activated by the HPA axis.
Sympathetic NS is activated which increases resistance to stress.
Fight/Freeze/Flight occurs
If a situation is dealt with, you do not go onto the next stage.
resistance stage
Prolonged release of cortisol and adrenaline
Keeps body prepared for action and in elevated state of arousal
Individuals tries to adapt, resist or cope with the stressor
Unnecessary physiological processes begin to reduce (digestion, sex drive, menstruation and sperm production and can cause damage to organs (suppressed immune system
Resistance to other potential stressors may decline.
exhaustion stage
Physiological resources are severely depleted
Body cannot sustain resistance any longer making it more susceptible to serious illness
Cortisol depleted
Extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, apathy and inability to cope with the stressor/s, high blood pressure, heart problems, nightmares, impaired sexual performance, changes in physical appearance, depression, stomach ulcers, physically and psychologically exhausted.
what is the transactional model of stress and coping?
2 key psychological factors that determine how much an event is experienced as stressful:
Meaning of the event to the individual
Judgement of the ability to cope with the stressor
Stress involves transaction between individual and environment. It depends on an individual’s perception and assessment of the stressor
what is primary appraisal and what are the 6 stages to be considered
Primary Appraisal
Evaluate/judge significance of the situation.
You Make a decision if the situation is irrelevant, benign OR stressful
Harm/Loss: how much damage has already occurred
Threat: assessment of harm/loss that may occur in the future
Challenge: potential for personal gain/growth
