Psych - Stress Flashcards
manifestations of stress
anxiety/depression
difficulty concentrating/tiredness
lack of interest or motivation
muscular or chest pains
5 types of stressor and an example of each
acute - exams
chronic - long illness
major life events - bereavement
external - events out of our control
internal - how we appraise a situation
what is a physiological response to stress
what happens to our body when we experience a situation as being threatening or challenging
what is a behavioural response to stress
what behaviours we adopt to manage these physiological responses or avoid them
what is an emotional response to stress
what emotions we experience when we feel stressed
what is a cognitive response to stress
what we think about a situation that might feel threatening or challenging about our ability to cope with it
examples of health problems linked with stress
hypertension
headaches/migraines
muscular pain/weakness
digestion - ulcers/IBS
diabetes
suppression of the immune system; infections
anxiety/depression
how does the diathesis stress model view illness
the result of an interaction between a pre-existing vulnerability and the external stress caused by life experience
how is pre-existing vulnerability caused
can be biologically based - foetal exposure to stress
environmental stressors in early life - poverty, neglect, abuse
the interaction of the two
what does the diathesis stress model suggest
people with pre-existing vulnerabilities can explain why some people can be more resilient in the face of stressors and adapt
it shows how biological or genetic traits interact with the environment to produce illnesses such as depression or anxiety
cognitive behavioural approaches to stress management
focus on appraisal and coping strategies to help people manage stressors and perceive stress better
mindfulness approaches to stress management
techniques that focus on mental and physical relaxation, based on centuries old meditative practices
brings non-judgemental awareness to an object of attention and encourages the mind to be receptive and in the present
