STRESS

Stress Hans Selye developed the concept of stress as the nonspecific response of the body to demands made on it

STRESS Stressor- anything that causes an organism to adjust and show stress response CAN BE GOOD OR BAD

TYPES OF STRESS EUSTRESS- good stress (heals) Epinephrine handling DISTRESS- bad stress (destroys) Epinephrine and norepinephrine

What makes it stressful? Primary appraisal- determining if an event is a threat Secondary appraisal- how you will deal with the stressful situation

Stress and Illness Hans Selye developed concept of stress as nonspecific response of body to demands

General Adaptation Syndrome

GAS ALARM- fight or flight response Heart pounds Breathing faster Muscles tense/prepare to act Perspiration increases to cool Stomach/digestion/ saliva slow

General Adaptation Syndrome RESISTANCE- try to cope over time Moderate arousal Higher stress lowers immunity The colds that come and never go away

General Adaptation Syndrome EXHAUSTION- your system gets run down More vulnerable to disease Psychosomatic (psychophysiological disorders)

Stress and Illness immune system is body's major defense against bacteria /viruses. Psychoneuroimmunology -- how psychological and physiological factors interact to influence immune system. A wide variety of stressful events can affect immune system functioning.

CAUSES OF STRESS 1. Conflicts Only some goals can be satisfied at the expense of others Approach-approach: two or more positive choices Have your cake and eat it too? Examples??

CAUSES OF STRESS Avoidance-avoidance- no-win situation Two or more negative options Burned either way “Lesser of two evils” Damned if I do/ don’t Procrastinate or escape

TYPES OF CONFLICT Approach-avoidance I should do this…but Swinging back and forth Have to do something bad in the process TRY TO AVOID THESE

TYPES OF CONFLICT Multiple Approach-Avoidance Weigh your options Complex and tough Getting married/ divorced/ choosing a college/ major

2. Major life events WE DON’T LIKE CHANGE!!!!! Can be good OR bad Adolescent stress scale Usually temporary

Causes of Stress 3. Frustration Interference w/ Goal-directed behavior DRIVES or INCENTIVES When some kind of force is keeping you from your goal Could be permanent or temporary

Types of Frustration 1. Environmental frustration Something external keeps you from your goal (time, money, weather, traffic, noise, etc.) 2. Social Frustration Person that keeps you from your goals Parents, teachers, siblings, etc.

Types of Frustration 3. Personal frustration Something about you stops you A. unrealistic expectations of self B. Unrealistic expectations of others

Types of Frustration C. Excessive use of defense mechanisms

Causes of Stress 4. Catastrophe (Natural disasters) Causes change Worry lingers (1 year or more)

PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Intense fear when reliving a stressful event Flashbacks, sleep issues, paranoia, anxiety, irritability, poor concentration

Stress and Perception Men vs. Women Women “tend and befriend” : oxytocin minimizes adrenaline and cortisol Men internalization or confrontation Women live longer, men more prone to heart disease

Mood/ personality (optimism/pessimism) Perception and Stress Mood/ personality (optimism/pessimism) Type A (hostile, competitive aggressive) vs. type B (non)

Explanatory style matters. Awfulizing/ learned helplessness Optimism DOES affect our health

Explanatory Styles (Cognition) Temporary vs Permanent Specific vs Universal (general) External vs Internal

How do you not let it bother you? Hardiness- characteristics that reduce the influence of stressors (less illness!) Commitment, sense of control, view stress as a challenge Have resources to cope

I MEAN, HOW BAD CAN MY SITUATION BE????

Coping With Stress 1. Planning- GET AN AGENDA!!!! Budget, prioritize 2. Problem-focused coping: you have control and can fix the problem

Coping Mechanisms 3. Emotion-focused coping You can’t fix the problem, but you accept those limits and cope with your emotions.

COPING Mechanisms 4. DON’T DWELL on negatives 5. Behavior Modification Therapy/Stress Management 6. Distraction- gets your mind off it

Coping Mechanisms 7. Social Support- getting it out, advice, understanding, approval, money, help! + Life span evidence 8. Sense of Humor/ eustress

Coping Mechanisms 9. meditation/relaxation 10. physical activity- health, endorphins, well-being Even moderate can make a difference

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