WEEK 5 - Stress & Coping Flashcards
generalised adaption syndrome
unspecific reaction of the body to stressors in the environment- a three stage process - involves activation of HPA axis
GAS three phases
alarm reaction
resistance phase
exhaustion phase
alarm reaction phase
can cause decrease in bodily defences and blood pressure; heart rate may initially decrease b4 rising to much higher than normal- level of arousal cannot be maintained
resistance phase
body tries 2 adapt to stressor
- arousal decreases but still higher than normal
- the stages mobilisation of the body defences cannot be maintained without being vulnerable to illness
exhaustion phase
occurs if resistance stage lasts too long, resulting in a depletion of bodily resources and energy- ability to resist stress declines, an increase in likleyhood of disease occurs
types of stress
chronic
acute
acute stress examples
exams, natural disasters traumatic events
chronic stress examples
occupational, relationship stress, persistent stressor/ condition/ situation
body responses to stress
headaches, fatigue, skin irritation
mind responses to stress
worry, negativity, nightmares, indecision
emotional responses to stress
more fussy, depression, irritability
behavioural responses to stress
loss of sex drive, smoking more and insomnia
physiological effects of stress
mouth ulcers, cardiovascular disease, hair loss, menstrual disorders, anxiety and depression
stress and immune system
stressful life events, and negative emotions they generate can dysregulate the immune response by disturbing the sensitive interplay among the CNS endocrine and immune systems
acute inflammation and stress
chronic long term stress can produce exaggerated and or prolonged inflammatory responses that are detrimental to health.
mediators of stress and immunity
troubled relationships, negative or competitive social interactions, feeling lonely, sleep, diet and exercise
transactional theory of stress and coping (Lazarus)
- stress is a product of a person and their complex environment
- coping is defined in terms of thoughts and actions that people use in stressful situations
an appraisal
whether something is perceived as a stress, our thoughts and how we react to it
primary appraisal
person decides if the situation is benign, stressful or irrlevent
secondary appraisal
person evaluates options and decides how to respond- do I have resources 2 cope with it- external or internal
factors that influence appraisal
imminent events undesirable events unexpected events ambiguous events events with potential risk/harm life changing events events you have no control over