Stress - Management

Question 0

Name some stress related anxiety disorders?

Answer 0

Social phobias
PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder
GAD - generalised anxiety disorder

Question 1

What are benzodiazepines (BZs)?

Answer 1

They are used to treat psychological disorders such as stress or anxiety disorders

Question 2

Explain GABA?

Answer 2

It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, makes it less likely for neurones to fire - reducing activity in the brain which can reduce anxiety

Question 3

What are BZs also used for?

Answer 3

Anti anxiety drugs - valium
Mimic or enhance the effect of GABA
Reducing neurone firing - reducing activity - reducing anxiety and stress

Question 4

What are beta blockers (BBs)?

Answer 4

They are used to treat psychological and physical results of stress

Such as high blood pressure

Designed to reduce the risk of stroke and CHD

Question 5

Why would people need BBs?

Answer 5

Stress causes high rate of activity in the sympathetic branch of autonomic system
Hormones like noradrenaline and adrenaline lead to high arousal in the SAM system
Raising blood pressure and heart rate, risk factors for CHD and stroke

Question 6

What do BBs do?

Answer 6

They reduce activity in the sympathetic nervous system
Binding to beta-adrenergic receptors preventing the arousal or stimulation
Therefore reducing the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline
Slowing the heartbeat and reducing blood pressure
Reducing stress

Question 7

What are the side effects of BZs?

Answer 7

Drowsiness, and episodic memory

Question 8

What are the side effects of BBs?

Answer 8

Breathing difficulties as it narrows the airways (asthma)

Question 9

What are some withdrawal issues with BBs?

Answer 9

Long term use can lead to dependency, not many problems as they do not affect the brain significantly

Question 10

What are some withdrawal issues with BZs?

Answer 10

Long term use may lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms include increased anxiety, tremors and headaches

Question 11

What are the speed and effectiveness of BBs and BZs?

Answer 11

They work quickly without the need for long term work on changing behaviour required with psychological therapies

Question 12

What is the effectiveness of BZs?

Answer 12

Modest effect and only short term

Question 13

What is the effectiveness of BBs?

Answer 13

Meta analysis - hardly any effect at all the calcium channel blockers are better

Question 14

What is stress inoculation training?

Answer 14

Increase the ability to cope with stressors, increasing resilience to stress

Question 15

Who was SIT developed by?

Answer 15

Meichenbaum

Question 16

What are the 3 elements of stress inoculation training?

Answer 16

Conceptualisation
Skills training and practice
Real life application

Question 17

Explain Conceptualisation?

Answer 17

This is the cognitive element where they try to change their thoughts or behaviour

Involves discussing and categorising stressors, main features and possible ways of coping with this - whether this works

Question 18

Explain Skills Training and Practice?

Answer 18

They are taught relaxation techniques and social skills such as eye contact, conversational skills and body posture - done through role plays and other “safe situations”

Question 19

Explain Real Life Application?

Answer 19

Trying the techniques they have learnt in the real world

Contact with their therapist is maintained - follow up sessions and further training when and if required

Successful application is reinforcing as it gives them more confidence to continue

Question 20

What is Hardiness training?

Answer 20

Increasing the ability of people to cope by training them to be more hardy, by developing levels of control, commitment and challenge

Question 21

Evaluate Meichenbaum’s experiment?

Answer 21

SIT vs Systematic desensitisation (gradual exposure) vs control = anxious pre exam students

SIT group performed better in exams and gave better self report after, 2 fold they feel better and were less anxious meaning they performed better

Question 22

Evaluate Saunders et al Meta-analysis?

Answer 22

18000 ppts and 37 studies

Results showed that SIT was effective means for reducing performance anxiety (cannot do presentations), reducing state anxiety (general state of being) and enhancing performance under stress

Question 23

Evaluate the effectiveness of Hardiness training?

Answer 23

Little evidence to support this

Question 24

Evaluate the appropriateness of both training methods?

Answer 24

Practically the time, money and application to solving the problems is high and is a necessity
Easier to take the pill