Stress Flashcards
What is mechanical stress?
Pressure or tension exerted on a material object (a cause)
What is psychological stress?
State of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances (a reaction)
When does psychological stress occur?
When an individual perceives that environmental demands tax or excess his or her adaptive capacity
What are the two types of stress?
Distress and Eustress
What is distress?
Negative stress which is damaging and harmful
What is Eustress?
Positive stress which is beneficial and motivating
What is acute stress?
Response to novel situation experienced as danger. Healthy and adaptive. Common
What is chronic stress?
Arises from repeated or continued exposure to threatening or dangerous situations, especially those that cannot be controlled
Give some examples of chronic stressors…
Physical illness, disability, physical or sexual abuse, poverty, unemployment, bullying or discrimination
What are the 5 elements of the human stress response?
- Biochemical
- Physiological
- Behavioural
- Cognitive
- Emotional
How are stress responses mediated?
Via the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalami-pituitary (HPA) axis
What are biochemical stress responses?
Glucocorticoids (cortisol) and catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline).
Inflammation and immune response = important
Metabolic changes due to stress e.g. Endorphin levels altered
What are early physiological stress responses?
Breathing more rapidly, blood flow to muscles increases, increased HR and BP, mouth become drier, WBC redistribution where injury may occur
What are some late physiological responses?
Headache, chest pain, stomach ache, muscle pain, low energy, loss of libido, colds and infections
Give some examples of behavioural responses…
Easily startled and hyper vigilant, change in appetite, weight gain/loss, increased use of alcohol/drugs/smoking, sleep disturbances, withdrawal
Give some examples of cognitive responses…
Constant worrying, arching thoughts, forgetfulness, inability to focus, poor judgement, being pessimistic
Give some examples of emotional responses…
Depression and sadness, tearfulness, mood swings, irritability, aggression, low-self esteem, boredom and apathy, feeling overwhelmed
What is stress an interaction between?
The person and the environment
What factors may modify the stress response?
Context, appraisal, vulnerability and learning
What is allostasis?
How complex systems achieve balance (homeostasis) in changing environments
What is Allostatic load?
Cumulative exposure to stressors, which if unrelieved leads to systems ‘wearing out’
What does stress do with regards to physical illnesses?
Exacerbates physical illnesses and slows recovery
Following an MI there is strong evidence between what?
Depression and mortality
What methods can be used in stress management?
Exercise, healthy diet, mindfulness, meditation, friends and family, CBT
