Stress & Anxiety Flashcards
1
Q
What is stress
A
reaction to stressors
- > physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension in response to a demand/stressor
2
Q
the stress continuum
A
3
Q
Eustress
A
- > good/positive stress
- > things that you are looking forward to with anticipation
i. e. starting university, new job, road trip
4
Q
distress
A
- > what we typically refer to as stress
- > negative or trying circumstances that are often out of our control
i. e. failing a test, getting into an accident, breakup
5
Q
processing involved in stress reaction
A
Psychological processes
- > appraisal/evaluation of stressor
- > appraisal/evaluation of your ability to handle it
Physiological processes
- > release of stress hormones that allow your body to prepare to handle the threat (fight or flight)
- > HPA axis
6
Q
descibe para/sympathetic response to a mild/ acute stress reaction
A
7
Q
HPA Axis
A
- > includes adrenal cortex, hypothalamus and pituitary
- > responsible for neuroendocrine adaptation component of the stress response
- > key hormone: cortisol
8
Q
what happens when an organisms is repeatedly exposed to stressors
A
the organism habituates to the stressor with repeated and sustained HPA axis activation
9
Q
explain para/sympathetic response to chronic stress
A
10
Q
what are the effects of chronic stress
A
1. Allocation of effort
- > it takes way more energy to deal with chronic stress
2. Collateral damage
- > chronically high levels of stress response hormones cause damage in the body
3. Complicated dismount
- > getting back to normal levels can be difficult
11
Q
explain the para/sympathetic response during an extream stress response
A
12
Q
Factors that affect stress
A
- > magnitude of stress response (varies from person to person)
- > personality
- > it is situational (stressors can be different for different ppl)
13
Q
Type A vs Type B personality
A
Type A
- > competitive
- > time urgent
- > hostile and aggressive
Type B
- > relaxed
- > patient
- > easy going
14
Q
Ways of coping with stress
A
15
Q
The importance of self-compassion
A
