Stress - Stress Management

Question 1

What two drugs are in Biological Methods for Stress Management?

Answer 1

Benzodiazepines (BZ’s) and Beta Blockers.

Question 2

What are Benzodiazepines used for?

Answer 2

Treat psychological symptoms of stress. Reduce brain arousal. Increase activity of chemical GABA, has the role of reducing activity of neurons. General quieting influence of the brain.

Question 3

What are Beta Blockers used for?

Answer 3

Treat physical symptoms of stress. Block effect of adrenaline, stopping fight or flight response, reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

Question 4

Evaluate the use of drugs to manage stress.

Answer 4

• Speed and effectiveness – they work quickly.
• Research support – meta-analysis found BZ’s more effective than anti-depressants.
• Availability – Can be prescribed and assessed immediately.
• Dependency – long term use can lead to physical and psychological dependency.
• Tolerance – Tolerance to effects of BZ’s develops with regular use, original dose had progressively less effect, so higher doses needed.
• Side Effects – some who take beta blockers experience fatigue or cold like extremities.

Question 5

What Psychological Method is used for Stress Management?

Answer 5

Stress Inoculation Training.

Question 6

What is SIT?

Answer 6

Aims to encourage person to perceive stressful situations accurately and improve coping skills.

Question 7

What are the three phases of SIT?

Answer 7

1. Conceptualisation – therapist discusses stressful situations, aim is to identify an irrational beliefs about situations that cause stress.
2. Skills Training – Client taught various ways of coping with stress. May include problem-focuses strategies, also more general strategies such as relaxation.
3. Real life application – Client encouraged to use what they’ve learnt in the real world. May be exposes to graded stressors that gradually increase in intensity.

Question 8

Evaluate SIT.

Answer 8

• Flexible and can be adapted to suit individual needs.
• Benefits can be long term, gives people new skills that they can use with future stressors.
• Neither quick nor easy or cheap. Most SIT cases consist of 8-15 sessions conducted over 3-12 month period.
• Client must be motivated and willing to openly discuss their experiences.
• Participants could drop out since its time consuming.