Stress, anxiety and health Flashcards
What is general adaptation syndrome?
a profile of how organisms respond to stress; characterized by three phases: a nonspecific mobilization phase, which promotes sympathetic nervous system activity; a resistance phase, organism makes efforts to cope with the threat; and an exhaustion phase, which occurs if the organism fails to overcome the threat and depletes its physiological resources.
What is psychoimmunology?
Depression of immune system function due to stress (Cohen et al).
What are the possible psychological reactions to stress?
Cognitive impairment, anger, depression and anxiety.
What are the key features of PTSD?
Repeating re-living of traumatic event. Persistent efforts at avoidance of memories and emotional blunting. Persistent symptoms of hyperarousal and survivor guilt. Piper Alpha rig fire.
What is type A behaviour?
Thinking of or doing two things at once
Scheduling more and more activities into less and less time
Hurrying the speech of others
Becoming unduly irritated when waiting in line or in slow moving traffic
Having difficulty sitting and doing nothing Playing nearly every game to win, even when playing with children
What has research shown type A behaviour is associated with?
Related to coronary atherosclerosis but only in under 45s.
Type A survivors of heart attacks less likely to die in next few years.
What is the Ornish approach?
Lifestyle-driven approach to the control of coronary artery disease and other chronic diseases. He promotes lifestyle changes including a whole foods, plant-based diet, smoking cessation, moderate exercise, stress management techniques including yoga and meditation, and psychosocial support.
What is the appraisal process (Lazarus and Folkman)?
Primary – perception of demands - potential for threat, harm, or challenge
Secondary – available coping options
Re-appraisal – continual re-evaluation or re-labelling above
