Stress and coping Flashcards
Stressors
Tension producing stimuli operating within or on any system. Disruptive forces
Stress
A physical, emotional, or psychological demand that often leads to growth or overwhelms a person and leads to illness
Neurophysiological responses to stress function thru
Negative feedback
Three structures that control the response of the body to a stressor
Medulla oblongata
Reticular formation
Pituitary gland
Medulla oblongata
Located in the lower portion of the brain stem, controls heart rate, BP, and respirations
Reticular formation
Small cluster of neurons in the brains stem and spinal cord, continuously monitors the physiological status of the body thru connections with sensory and motor skills
Pituitary Gland
Produces hormones necessary for adaptation to stress
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone is released by what gland
Pituitary, it produces cortisol
General Adaptation Syndrome
`describes how the body reacts to a stressor thru 3 stages (Alarm, resistance, exhaustion). Involves the autonomic nervous system and endocrine
Alarm Reaction
Increase in: blood volume, blood glucose levels, epinephrine, norepinephrine, heart rate, blood flow to muscles, oxygen intake
Resistance stage
Body stabilizes and responds in a manner opposite that of the alarm stage. Body begins to repair damage
If the stress response is chronic a state of _____ occurs
Allostasis, causes excessive wear and tear on the person. An increased allostatic load leads to chronic illness (HTN, depression, sleep deprivation)
Exhaustion Stage
The body is no longer able to resist the effects of the stressor, and has depleted the energy necessary.
The GAS is activated indirectly for
Psychological threats
Primary appraisal
Person identifying the event or circumstance as personally significant
Secondary Appraisal
Focuses on possible coping strategies
Types of stress
Chronic (stable)
Acute (time limited)
PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)
A person experiences, witnesses, or is confronted with a traumatic event and responds with intense fear or helplessness
Examples of PTSD
Military combat, vehicle crashes, natural disasters, violent personal assault
Types of crises
Developmental
Situational
Adventitious
Example of developmental crises
Occurs as a person moves thru the stages of life
Marriage
Birth of a child
Examples of situational crises
Job change
MVA
Death
Severe illness
Examples of adventitious crises
Natural disasters
Man made disaster
Crises are usually resolved within
6 weeks
Neuman systems model
Based on the concepts of stress and reaction to it. This model views the person, family, and community as constantly changing in response to the environment and stressors
Levels of Neuman Model
Primary
Seconday
Tertiary
Primary level of Neuman model
Promotes pt wellness by stress prevention and reduction of risk factors
Secondary Level of Neuman model
Prevention occurs after sx appear
Tertiary level of neuman model
Prevention begins when the pt’s system becomes more stable and recovers
Factors influencing stress and coping
Situational
Maturational
Sociocultural
Situational factors influencing stress/coping
Job changes
Promotions/Transfers
Illness (obesity, HTN, diabetes, depression)
Caregiver stress
Maturational factors influencing stress
Vary with life stages
Milestones
Beginning a family
Losing parents
Sociocultural factors influencing stress/coping
Poverty
Physical handicap
Mental Illness
Substance abuse
Health Promotion
Regular exercise
Support system
Time management
Assertive training
ACE inhibitors help
Relax blood vessels
Adaptation
The change that takes as a result of the response to stress (ongoing)
Vascular changes in the Local Inflammatory response
Brief constriction (Pallor and numb) Increased bl flow (redness and hear) Increased histamine (swelling) Cell permeability (loss of function)
Hypothamalus produces ______ and _____ but is stored in the _____________
ADH (vasopressin)
Oxytocin
Posterior pituitary
Sympathetic nervous system releases
Norepinephrine
Sympathetic response to stress
Norepinephrine
Vasoconstriction
Increased BP
Cool pale skin
Adrenal medulla response
Epinephrine Increased heart rate Increased contractility Increased blood sugar Bronchial dilation
Compensation
Counterbalancing a weakness by emphasizing a strength
Denial
Refusing to acknowledge the presence of something
Displacement
Transfers and emotional reaction from one object to another
Introjection
Incorporating qualities or values of another into ones own
Projection
Thoughts or impulses are attributed to another, allowing intolerable feeling or motivation to be attributed to someone else
Rationalization
Giving questionable behavior a logical or socially acceptable explanation
Reaction formation
Developing conscious attitudes and behaviors that are opposite to what one really feels or would like to do
Regression
Returning to an earlier method of behaving (bed wetting, thumb sucking)
Repression
Involuntarily excluding and anxiety producing event from conscious awareness. Blocking event, feeling or impulse
Sublimation
Substituting a socially acceptable activities for strong impulses that are not acceptable in their original form
(exercise, sports, humor)
Undoing
An act or communication that is used to negate a previous act or communication
