Stress & coping Flashcards
What is the definition of stress?
mental, emotional, or physical response and adaptation to real or perceived changes and challenges.
How does the body respond to stress?
the hypothalamus secretes corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), activating the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine, causing the ‘fight or flight’ response.
What is General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
a three-stage response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
What are the stages of appraisal in the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping?
Two stages of appraisal: primary and secondary.
What are the two broad categories of stressors?
physiological (physical) and psychological (emotional).
What is acute stress?
Acute stress is the most common and frequent type of stress, usually brief and can be positive or negative.
What is chronic stress?
Chronic stress is a disabling condition that occurs when stress levels are heightened, constant, and prolonged.
What is acute stress disorder (ASD)?
ASD is an intense, unpleasant, and dysfunctional reaction beginning shortly after an overwhelming traumatic event and lasting less than a month.
What is a crisis?
A crisis is a threatening situation in which a person experiences an intensive behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric response triggered by a precipitating event.
What are ego defense mechanisms?
Ego defense mechanisms are mental operations that protect an individual’s self-esteem and help avoid excessive anxiety.
What is denial as a defense mechanism?
Denial is the refusal to acknowledge or accept reality to avoid the emotional impact.
What is rationalization as a defense mechanism?
Rationalization is justifying or explaining undesirable behaviors to avoid emotional discomfort or save face.
What is coping?
Coping refers to the strategies an individual employs to deal with stressors and is influenced by psychological, sociological, and cultural factors.
What are healthy coping strategies?
Healthy coping strategies include eating nutritious foods, exercising daily, building personal resistance, and implementing self-care activities.
What is the goal of GAS
to return
to a steady state of internal, physical,
and chemical balance (homeostasis) to
maintain optimal functioning.
Physiological (physical) stress
associated with injury or illness; the body’s reaction is
immediate and necessary for survival
Psychological (emotional)
Associated with an event, situation, comment, condition, or interaction
that is interpreted as negative or threatening
types of stress
acute, chronic, episodic acute
Acute stress
The most common and frequent type of
stress.
Usually brief and can be positive or
negative.
Causes an immediate reaction and
triggers the fight-or-flight response.
Episodic acute stress
Occurs when someone experiences
frequent bouts of acute stress.
Over time, can negatively impact
relationships, work, and overall health.
Chronic stress
A disabling condition that occurs when
stress levels are heightened, constant,
and prolonged.
Levels of crisis severity range
Level 1 (least severe)
to Level 4 (highest level of severity).
Compartmentalization
Categorize life
experiences into segments to avoid facing the
anxieties while in that mindset
Regression
Movement back to a more
comfortable developmental time in life
Repression
forgetting
Projection:
Attribute negative or uncomfortable
thoughts, feelings, or motives onto someone else
Denial
Refusal to acknowledge or accept reality
to avoid the emotional impact
Rationalozation
Justify or explain undesirable
behaviors to avoid emotional discomfort or save
face
