Stress & PTSD

Question 1

Hooke’s law (1660)

Answer 1

states that relatively small deformations of an object, the displacement or size of the deformation is directly proportional to the deforming force or load.

Question 2

Stress

Answer 2

A real or interpreted threat to the physiological or psychological integrity of an individual that results in physiological and/or behavioural responses

Question 3

Homeostasis

Answer 3

biological self-regulation which enables an organism to adapt to life’s demands

Question 4

stressor

Answer 4

stimulus resulting in imbalance threatening homeostasis

Question 5

stress response

Answer 5

response of the organism to maintain or re-establish homeostasis

Question 6

Experiencing stress - cognitive

Answer 6

• loss of concentration
• memory loss
• reduced decision making ability

Question 7

Experiencing stress - behavioural

Answer 7

• over eating
• under eating
• reduced work performance
• reduced time management
• arguments

Question 8

Experiencing stress - physiological

Answer 8

• increased heart rate
• increased blood pressure
• increased GSR

Question 9

Experiencing stress - emotional

Answer 9

• anxiety
• anger
• low motivation
• increased jealousy/insecurity

Question 10

Allostatic load

Answer 10

Refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events.

Question 11

Salutogenic model

Answer 11

• Aaron Antonovsky

- health is a continuum ddefined by how a person manages stress

Question 12

4 categories of PTSD symptoms

Answer 12

• intrusive symptoms
• avoidance responding
• negative changes in cognition and mood
• increased arousal and reactivity

Question 13

Acute stress disorder

Answer 13

Symptoms may begin within 3 days to 1 month of the trauma taking place and will persist for at least 3 days or up to 1 month.

Question 14

Conditioning theory

Answer 14

• are symptoms associated with PTSD due to classical conditioning?
• Trauma becomes associated with other cues
• conditioned fear responses do not extinguish due to avoidance responses

Question 15

Why some people but not others?

Answer 15

• pre-existing personality factors
• possible genetic disposition
• key appears to be fear reaction to the experience

Question 16

Biological factors

Answer 16

• genetic component (30%)

- genetically wired heightened startle response and endocrine response system

Question 17

Other factors

Answer 17

Tenedency to take personal responsibility for the traumatic event and the misfortunes of others involved in the event.
Developmental factors.
Family history of PTSD.

Question 18

Dual representation theory

Answer 18

• brewin
• states that trauma memories are represented in a fundamentally distinct way
• recovery involves transforming them into ordinary or narrative memories

Question 19

resilience

Answer 19

refers to a person’s ability to adapt to acute stress, trauma and adversity

Question 20

psychosocial factors

Answer 20

• self regulation
• social competence with peers
• attachment in childhood

Question 21

Resilient responses to stress

Answer 21

• capacity to constrain stress-induced increases in CRH and cortisol through a negative feedback system, involving optimal function and balance of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors.