WEEK 2 Flashcards
some of the defense mechanisms of stress
adaptive defense mechanisms vs maladaptive defense mechanisms
adaptive are found with healing and mature
maladaptive are based on avoiding, negating, distorting reality
how many defense mechanisms to know
17
define altruism
Transforming feelings and emotions by helping someone who is experiencing something similar
example of adaptive altruism
A client, whose child died after being hit by a drunk driver, chooses to work with a local group to support others who have also lost their children to drunk drivers.
define conversion
An unconscious process that transforms psychological stress into physical symptoms
maladaptive example of conversion
A client experiences temporary blindness after seeing their partner in an extramarital affair.
define compensation
The replacement or creation of strengths in a specific skillset to offset real or perceived weaknesses in another area
adaptive example of compensation
A client breaks their leg and is unable to play their favorite sport. While recovering, the client develops a skillset in playing chess.
maladaptive example of compensation
A nurse who is afraid of working with children decides to specialize in adult intensive care to avoid the pediatric population.
define denial
Dismissing the situation as not being true or based in reality
adaptive example of denial
A client cannot sleep because they are worried about their son, who has been called into active military duty. The client decides to get up and watch a movie to get their mind off the situation and eventually falls asleep.
maladaptive example of denial
A client is told that they are diagnosed with a terminal illness, believes that the health care provider mixed up their clients, and does not believe the diagnosis is correct.
define Dissociation
A temporary disruption in consciousness that affects the individuals perception of their environment, memory, or identity that results in a separation of self and those unpleasant thoughts or feelings into an inaccessible part of one’s psyche
adaptive example of dissociation
A student is taking an exam and feels uncomfortably cold. The student temporarily stops processing the feelings of being cold to focus on the exam
maladaptive example of dissociation
A client who was recently involved in a motor vehicle accident is unable to recall details about the event or their identity.
define displacement
Redirecting unacceptable feelings or thoughts about the stressor to a less threatening target
maladaptive example of displacement
A client is angry with their boss for a poor review directs their anger toward their spouse, a perceived less threatening target.
define identification
Assuming the characteristics of another individual
adaptive example of identification
A client experiences a flat tire while driving. They think and act as their parent would in a similar situation.
maladaptive example of identification
A child often witnesses domestic violence and begins to harm other children at school.
define intellectualization
Concealing or abstractly processing emotions by means of excessive intellectual analysis or activity
Adaptive Example of intellectualization
A nurse blocks out the emotional aspect of caring for a victim of violence to prioritize and focus on the client’s needs.
Maladaptive Example of intellectualization
A client was recently sexually assaulted seeks out information on the psychological development of perpetrators and their victims.
define projection
A person’s painful thoughts or emotions about themselves, something they have done, or the way they are feeling are projected to other people, places, or situations
maladaptive example of projection
A child who consistently lies to their parent assumes that the parent lies consistently as well.
define rationalization
Using reasoning and logic to avoid or explain the stressor or their actions and avoid their own emotions
adaptive example of rationalization
A client feels humiliated during a presentation and states, “The audience is silent because they are interested in what I have to say.”
rationalization maladaptive example
After surviving an episode of abuse, the victim states, “This would not have happened if I just paid more attention to their (perpetrator) needs.”
reaction formation define
The replacement of unacceptable thoughts or feelings with the opposite emotion or thought
adaptive example of reaction formation
A client who is trying to stop their substance use is often heard teaching others about the dangers of substance use.
maladaptive example of reaction formation
A client is having difficulty expressing their identity to their peers and begins to act and speak in opposite characteristics of how they actually identify.
define regression
A return to a previous developmental stage of behavioral, cognitive, or emotional functioning
adaptive example of regression
A client comes home from work after a stressful day and decides to watch their favorite childhood television show.
maladaptive example of regression
One person in an argument begins to yell and throw objects at the other person.
repression define
A person that avoids thinking or talking about stresso, who can admit certain feelings about the stressor but cannot think about what led up to the feeling or cause of the stressor
adaptive example of repression
A client is providing the eulogy at their cousin’s funeral. After feelings of intense sadness, the client unconsciously decides to tell a funny story about when they were children.
maladaptive example of repression
A client cannot remember being abused as a child but has a problem developing relationships.
splitting define
The inability to accept that an individual can have both good and poor aspects but believes someone is all “bad” or all “good”
define a maladaptive example of splitting
A client is discussing a staff member who set clear boundaries and sees this staff member as “awful and a poor excuse for a nurse.”
define sublimation
Feelings and emotions that are changed when the individual chooses to take the energy behind these feelings and put them toward a constructive purpose
adaptive example of sublimation
A client is feeling emotionally exhausted after a stressful day at work and decides to go for a walk after they get home.
define supression
A conscious (voluntary or purposeful) effort where the individual chooses to inhibit or control unwanted thoughts or feelings caused by the stressor
adaptive example of supression
A client who is angry at their parent but refuses to let it spoil a family holiday celebration.
maladaptive example of repression
A client who is unable to work due to a recent surgery states that they will worry about paying their bills once they are fully recovered.
undoing define
An attempt to remove unpleasant thoughts or emotions by engaging in the opposite behavior that caused the initial stress
adaptive example of undoing
A client accidently breaks their siblings favorite toy and saves up money to purchase their sibling a replacement toy.
maladaptive example of undoing
A client showers their partner with affection after physically abusing them.
physical symptoms of stress
Body aches and pains
Chest pain and heart palpitations
Exhaustion
Insomnia
Headaches
High blood pressure
Muscle tension
Stomach and digestion problems
Sexual difficulties
Weakened immune system
Dry mouth
Palpitations
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Sexual dysfunction
psychological/behavioral symptoms of stress
Anxiety
Irritability
Depression
Panic attacks
Increased sadness
Excessive worry
Substance use disorders or addictive behaviors such as gambling
Alterations in executive functioning, including language and problem-solving
Delayed development or regression
Eating disorders
Compulsive behaviors such as shopping and sex
5 big personality traits (1)
Neuroticism vs. Emotional Stability
5 big personality traits (2)
Extroversion vs. Introversion
5 big personality traits (3)
Openness to Experience vs. Closeness to Experiences
5 big personality traits (4)
Conscientiousness vs. Lack of Direction
5 big personality traits (5)
Agreeableness vs. Antagonism
Social and Societal Risk Factors for Stress
Poverty
Previous trauma, including war, violence, or disasters
Adverse childhood experiences compound societal stressors such as unemployment, financial insecurity, housing insecurity, and political or social unrest, discrimination, or racism
