Stress & PTSD Flashcards
Hooke’s law (1660)
states that relatively small deformations of an object, the displacement or size of the deformation is directly proportional to the deforming force or load.
Stress
A real or interpreted threat to the physiological or psychological integrity of an individual that results in physiological and/or behavioural responses
Homeostasis
biological self-regulation which enables an organism to adapt to life’s demands
stressor
stimulus resulting in imbalance threatening homeostasis
stress response
response of the organism to maintain or re-establish homeostasis
Experiencing stress - cognitive
- loss of concentration
- memory loss
- reduced decision making ability
Experiencing stress - behavioural
- over eating
- under eating
- reduced work performance
- reduced time management
- arguments
Experiencing stress - physiological
- increased heart rate
- increased blood pressure
- increased GSR
Experiencing stress - emotional
- anxiety
- anger
- low motivation
- increased jealousy/insecurity
Allostatic load
Refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events.
Salutogenic model
- Aaron Antonovsky
- health is a continuum ddefined by how a person manages stress
4 categories of PTSD symptoms
- intrusive symptoms
- avoidance responding
- negative changes in cognition and mood
- increased arousal and reactivity
Acute stress disorder
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.
Conditioning theory
- 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
Why some people but not others?
- pre-existing personality factors
- possible genetic disposition
- key appears to be fear reaction to the experience
Biological factors
- genetic component (30%)
- genetically wired heightened startle response and endocrine response system
Other factors
Tenedency to take personal responsibility for the traumatic event and the misfortunes of others involved in the event.
Developmental factors.
Family history of PTSD.
Dual representation theory
- brewin
- states that trauma memories are represented in a fundamentally distinct way
- recovery involves transforming them into ordinary or narrative memories
resilience
refers to a person’s ability to adapt to acute stress, trauma and adversity
psychosocial factors
- self regulation
- social competence with peers
- attachment in childhood
Resilient responses to stress
- 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.
