Stress

Question 1

Define stress

Answer 1

A state of psychological arousal perceived by internal or external stressors that are perceived as challenging or exceeds our ability or resources to cope.

Question 2

Give examples of internal and physical stressors

Answer 2

Physical = Noise, objects, arguments, people
Internal = Personal issues, mental blocks, emotions

Question 3

Define internal vs physical stressors

Answer 3

Physical = Problem that originates outside the individuals control
Internal = Problem that arouses concern about the potential consequences

Question 4

Define acute stress

Answer 4

A high level of stress that colours over a short period of time

Question 5

Define chronic stress

Answer 5

A high level of stress that persists over a long period of time

Question 6

Explain the fight, flight, freeze response

Answer 6

Fight = Confront the stressor
Flight = Evade the stressor
Freeze = Remain still/silent to avoid attention
(All 3 are considered adaptive responses)

Question 7

What happens to the body during the fight flight and freeze response?

Answer 7

• During this process all energy is directed away from less important organs
• Signal of threat is sent to hypothalamus.
• Stimulates adrenal glands that produce noradrenaline and adrenaline.
• Results in a heightened state

Question 8

Define tonic immobility

Answer 8

A potential effect of the freeze stage
Frozen state
Loss of physical ability to speak and move