Stress and Adaptation Flashcards
(33 cards)
Stress
- defined as an acual or alleged hazard to the balance of homeostatis
- change in a person’s internal or external environment that is preceived as a threat, challenge, or a danger
- stress is unavoidable
- stressors: physical, psychological, or social stimuli that can produce stress or tension in the body or mind to endanger homeostatis
- stress should be brief
- usual association is neg
- stress produces anxiety
Adaptation
- The change that takes place as a result of a stressor
- can occur individually, in families & groups
- necessary for normal growth and development, the ability to tolerate changing situations, and to respond to emotional stressors
- homeostatis: various physiologic mechanisms within the body that respond to internal changes to maintain consistancy in the internal homeostasis
components of a system of balances during stress
- a balance is achieved when the perception of the stressful event is realistic and support// coping mechanisms are adequate
- An imbalance can occur if the perception of the event is exaggerated or if sources for support or coping mechanisms are inadequate
physciological homeostasis
- local adaptation syndrome involes one body part
- reflex pain response
- inflammatory response
- General adaptation syndrome
-inital alarm reaction
-stage of resistance
-stage of exhaustion
**After the inital alarm & resistance, if the person continues to resist then they will eventually become exhasuted
Alarm reaction
* Person perceives stressor, defense mechanisms activated
- Fight-or-flight response
- Hormone levels rise, body prepares to react
- Shock and counter-shock phases
Stage of resistance
* Body attempts to adapt to stressor
- Vital signs, hormone levels, and energy production return to normal
- Body regains homeostasis or adaptive mechanisms fail
stage of exhaustion
* Results when adaptive mechanisms are exhausted
- Body either rests and mobilizes defenses to return to normal or dies
physiological homeostasis
- To maintain mental well-being, humans also must maintain psychological homeostasis.
- Refer to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
- Love and belonging needs
- Safety and security needs
- Self-esteem needs
- If the person has the necessary resources, adaptation takes place and balance is maintained.
Adaptive responses include - The mind-body interaction
- Anxiety
- Coping or defense mechanisms
Mind and body interactions
- Relationship between psychological stressors and the physiological stress response
- A person perceives the threat on an emotional level, and the body prepares itself either to resist the danger or to run away from it.
indicators of stress
Physiological Indicators
* Psychoemotional Indicators
* Anxiety
* Fear
* Anger
* Depression
Cognitive Indicators
* Problem solving
* Structuring
* Self-control
* Suppression
* Fantasy
Physical signs and symptoms
* Dilated pupils
* Heart rate, BP, Resp increase
* Skin pale
* Mouth dry
* Urine decreased
* Peristalsis decreases
* Mentally alert
* Muscles tense
* Blood Glucose elevates
Immune Response and Reaction to Psychological Stress
Immune System
* Impaired immune function
* Increased risk of infection
Endocrine System
* Fight or Flight response (epinephrine, norepinephrine)
Reaction to Stress
* Unexpected stressor is more threatening
Personal Characteristics
* Level of control
* Support system
Effects of stress on health
- Depression
- Dyspepsia
- Eating Disorders
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Hypertension
- Insomnia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Low back pain
Post-traumatic stressed disorder
- Occurs after witnessing or experiencing severe trauma
- Common among military personnel, veterans, and police
- Reliving of traumatic events or situations
- Anxiety, depression, and nightmares can complicate the picture
- Flashbacks are common
- Flashbacks are vivid recollections of the event in which the individual relives.
- Flashbacks - life threatening to the person.
- Symptoms: intense fear, horror, helplessness, emotionally numb, extremely alert, guarded, agitated, easily startled, eating and sleeping disturbances
- Isolation is common
Crisis
- Is a disturbance caused by a precipitating event, such as a perceived loss, a threat of loss, or a challenge, that is perceived as a threat to self.
- Person’s usual methods of coping are ineffective and this failure produces high levels of anxiety, disorganized behavior, and an inability to function adequately.
- One’s ability to cope with anxiety is overwhelmed.
- New coping behaviors must be developed to successfully resolve the source problem.
compassion fatigue
- State of burnout and secondary traumatic stress
- Occurs when perceived demands outweigh perceived resources
- State of physical and mental fatigue and exhaustion that often affects health
Second Victim Syndrome
- Affects healthcare providers when a medical error happens that harms a patient and causes the nurse complex psychological harm
- Causes loss of confidence, remorse, depression, humiliation and guilt
coping
Behaviors used to decrease stress and anxiety; ability to adapt to a stressor.
Conscious, learned behaviors based on a person’s family, past experiences, religion, sociocultural influences and expectations.
Affected by one’s personal choice
Can include behaviors like: Laughing, crying, sleeping, cursing, physical activity, exercise, smoking, drinking, lack of eye contact, withdrawal, limiting relationships to those with similar values and interest, et.
Physical – directly handle problem
Intellectual – changing perception
Spiritual – prayer, faith, rituals
Emotional – crying, communicating
Factors affecting stress and coping
Sources of stress
Developmental stress: occurs when person progresses through stages of growth and development
Situational factors: does not occur in predictable patterns
E.g. illness or traumatic injury, marriage or divorce, loss, new job, role change
Maturational Factors: The ability to adapt is lower in the very young, very old, preadolescents have body image and self-esteem issues
Sociocultural Factors: poverty, physical disability,imprisonment, substance abuse, homelessness, social isolation, culture
Coping V. Adaptation
COPING
* Short-term and immediate
* Oriented towards survival
* Not continuous
* Motivated by crisis; reactive
* Often degrades the resource base
* Prompted by a lack of alternatives
ADAPTATION
* Practices and results are sustained
* Oriented towards longer-term livelihood security
* A continuous process
* Involves planning
* Uses resources efficiently and sustainably
* Focused on finding alternatives
* Combines old and new strategies and knowledge
Effective vs Ineffective coping
Effective coping
Adaptation is behaviour that maintains integrity of the individual
Person utilizes active problem solving - Thiscoping mechanism involves identifying a problem that is causing stress and then developing and putting into action some potential solutions for effectively managing it.
Lead to healthy choices
Ineffective coping
Maladaptation is UNHEALTHY behavior that disrupts the integrity of the individual.
Person utilizes withdrawal, compromise or avoidance,
Excessive use of the defense mechanisms can lead to negative impact on mental and emotional well-being
Coping responses
Adaptive–> Problem solving, using social support, reframing
Maladaptive–> Avoidance, self blame & wishful blaming
Defense mechanism
Protect a person’s self –esteem and are useful in mild to moderate anxiety.
Are mental pressure valves
Are considered to be “unconscious”
Give the illusion of being helpful, when in reality they mask the stress and may actually increase it
When used in small “doses” may be helpful for short-term stress relief
When used to excess, become ineffective and may lead to breakdown of personality and relationships.
Anxiety
An unpleasant feeling of uneasiness, uncertainty, apprehension, dread, unexplained discomfort, tension, and/or helplessness.
A normal emotional response to a real or imagined threat or stressor
Diagnosis is made when individuals become overwhelmed and nonfunctional.
purpose of anxiety
A warning of impending danger
Mild anxiety can increase learning by enhancing concentration and focus
Uncontrolled anxiety often leads to ineffective and maladaptive behavior
A normal part of survival and growth
What are the disadvantages of having too much or too little anxiety?
Too little anxiety can result in a lack of focus or recklessness;
too much anxiety can lead to inability to accomplish important tasks.
Self-awareness and anxiety
-Anxiety is contagious
-it is important for caregivers to reconize and cope effectivley with their own anxieties
Nursing process:Assessment
Complete nursing history
Physical examination
Mental health assessment
Severity of stressor–“How is this affecting you?”
How severely client’s emotional state affected– “How do you feel about this?”
Coping Mechanisms:
Usual coping behaviour – “What do you usually do when something like this happens?”
Coping strategies – “Can you think of anything to do about this?”
Social support – “Whom can you call on to help you with this?”
