Task 1 Flashcards
General adaptation syndrome (GAS)
consistent sequence/ pattern in which physical responses occur to stress. The physical responses are triggered by the effort to adapt to any stressor.
Hans Selye physical reactions to stressors figure
alarm- resistance - exhaustion
Stage 1: alarm reaction - stressors trigger a process in the brain in which the hypothalamus activates the systematic branch of the ANS (autonomic nervous system), which stimulates the medulla. the adrenal gland (bijnier) secretes (scheidt) catecholamines (especially noradrenaline and adrenaline) which circulate in the bloodstream, activating various organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. Result is increased blood-pressure, enhanced muscle tension, increased blood sugar and other physical changes that provide the energy needed to cope with acute stressors.
Stressors also activate the HPA-system, in which the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland, that will secrete hormones such as ACTH –> what stimulates the adrenal gland to secrete corticosteroids: release the body’s energy supplies and fight inflammation.
–> overal effects is to generate emergency energy.
stage 2: resistance stage of GAS. obvious signs of the alarm fades as the body settles to resist the stressor on a long-term basis. Body is still working hard physiologically to cope. Biological resistance slowly but surely uses up the body’s reserves of adaptive energy.
Stage 3: exhaustion - if adrenaline and cortisol remain at high levels for an extended time, they can damage the heart and blood vessels. They also suppress the functioning of the body’s disease-fighting immune system, leaving people vulnerable to illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, colds and flu.
List of comprehensive defense mechanisms (7)
- Repression: (defensiveness) can be conscious but is most commonly unconscious.
- Denial: most severe form of memory repression
- Regression: is the giving up of mature problem solving methods in favor of a child-like approached to fixing problems
- Projection: anxiety is reduced by claiming another person actually has the unpleasant thoughts that you are thinking, you are attributing your own repressed thoughts to someone else
- Rationalization: (post-hoc) rationalization allows to find logical reasons for inexcusable actions (children do this quite often, nice example)
- intellectualization: protects against anxiety by repressing the emotions connected with an event (disconnecting emotions)
- Displacement: shifting of intended targets, especially when the initial target is threatening (e.g. boss is putting you down you shift anger to your partner when you get home).
Fear vs. anxiety
Fear:
- threat is present
- Clear threat source
- Short duration
- High tension
- Clear start
- Emergency vigilance (waakzaamheid)
Anxiety:
- Threat expected
- No threat source
- Long
- Discomfort
- Unclear start
- Heightened vigilance
Specific phobia (SP)
Individuals with SP are fearful or anxious about or avoidant of circumscribed objects or situations. A specific ideation is not featured in this disorder, as it is In other anxiety disorders.
The fear, anxiety or avoidance is almost always immediately induced by the phobic situation, to a degree that it is persistent and out of proportion to the actual risk posed.
various types: animal, natural environment, blood injection injury and situational.
Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
Individual is fearful or anxious about or avoidant of social interactions and situations that involve the possibility of being scrutinized. These include social interactions such as meeting unfamiliar people, situations in which the individual may be observed eating or drinking, and situations in which the individual performs in front of others. The cognitive ideating is of being negatively evaluated by others, by being embarrassed, humiliated or rejected, or offending others.
Panic disorder (PD)
Individual experiences recurrence unexpected panic attacks or changes his or her behavior in maladaptive ways because of the panic attacks (e.g. avoidance of exercise or of unfamiliar locations).
Panic attacks are abrupt surges of intense fear or intense discomfort that reach a peak within minutes, accompanied by physical and/or cognitive symptoms.
Limited-symptom panic attacks include fewer than four symptoms. Panic attacks may be expected, such as in response to a typically feared object or situation, or unexpected, meaning that the panic attack occurs for no apparent reason.
Agoraphobia
individuals are fearful and anxious about two or more of the following situations: using public transportation, being in open spaces, being in enclosure places, standing In line or being in a crowd, or being outside of the home alone in other situations.
Individual fears these situations because of thoughts that escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of developing panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms. These situations almost always induce fear or anxiety and are often avoided and require the presence of a companion.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
The key features of generalized anxiety disorder are persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about various domains, including work and school performance, that the individual finds difficult to control. in addition, the individual experiences physical symptoms, including restlessness or feeling keyed up or on the edge; being easily fatigued; difficulty concentrating or mind going blank; irritability; muscle tension; and sleep disturbance.
Function of fear
- Survival
- Social function (signaling of fear, motivation and social adaptive behavior)
physiology of fear (sympathetic part)
- blood pressure increases
- heart rate increases
- sweating
- increase blood in muscles
- tense muscles
- pupils get bigger
physiology of fear (parasympathetic part)
- contraction of bladder and bowels
- digestion stops: dry mouth and throat
- Feeling sick
physiology of fear (cognitive reaction)
- hyperalert
- time passes slower
- feeling of passing out
- current situation feels unreal
- dissociation/ depersonalization
physiology of fear (behavioral reactions)
- safety behaviors
- flight
- feeling the need to cry
- fight
Risk factors panic disorder
Biological: multiple genes play a role (parents with an anxiety disorder/ depression or bipolar disorder)
Psychosocial factors: tendency to experience more negative emotions, and tendency to believe that anxiety symptoms are dangerous. history of anxiety attacks and environment.
