Unit 5: Mental & Physical Health Flashcards
(35 cards)
Stressors
is anything that can impact your nervous system.
- not all stressors are bad, sometimes even a good change can cause stress & can have an impact on our cardiovascular system.
examples:
- catastrophes: always seen as a negative stressor, catastrophes are unpredictable large-scale events that cause major stress.
- significant life changes
- daily hassles
Selye proposed that the body’s adaptive response to stress is so general that, like a single burglar alarm, it sounds, no matter what intrudes.
He named this response the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), and he saw it as a three-phase process:
Phase 1
- Alarm reaction: Activation of the nervous system
Phase 2
- Resistance: Your body is using up its resources in order to ensure it can take care of itself.
Phase 3
- Exhaustion: With resources depleted, illness is likely and in extreme cases so is death.
Tend-and-befriend theory
a theory that suggests humans respond to stress by nurturing others (tending) and seeking social support (befriending)
Catharsis
the idea that if we release aggressive energy either through action or fantasy, we can relieve aggressive urges.
Type of Conflict: Approach-Approach Conflict
a situation where a person must choose between 2 desirable options.
Type of Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict
a situation where a person must choose between 2 undesirable options
Type of Conflict: Approach-Avoidance Conflict
a situation where a person is attracted to & repelled by the same option.
- ex: accepting a high-paying job that requires relocating far from family & friends.
Type of Conflict: Double Approach-Avoidance Conflict
a situation where a person must choose between 2 options, each with both attractive & unattractive aspects.
- ex: deciding between 2 unis: 1 is prestigious but expensive, while the other is affordable but less reputable.
Learned helplessness
a psychological condition where a person feels they can’t control or change a situation, leading them to give up and accept negative circumstances.
- This phenomenon often occurs after repeated exposure to uncontrollable stressors, resulting in feelings of powerlessness and resignation.
Positive psychology
the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering & promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive
Feel-good, do-good phenomenon
when people feel good they are more likely to do good things
Relative Deprivation
explains the tendency to compare ourselves to others and perceive ourselves as worse off than them.
Broaden-and-build theory
claims that positive emotions expand and broaden our awareness & this allows us to build new skills and resilience that improve well-being over time.
The Diathesis-Stress Model
suggests that individuals may have a genetic predisposition (diathesis) for certain disorders, which may only manifest when triggered by environmental stressors.
- This approach is supported by research in epigenetics, which shows how environmental factors can influence the expression of genetic traits.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- continuous, unexplained tension and worry, often accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, sleep issues, trembling & difficulty concentrating.
- GAD may be linked to childhood trauma and becomes rarer after age 50.
Panic Disorder
sudden panic attacks with symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
- these episodes can feel like a heart attack & may be triggered by stimulants like caffeine or nicotine.
Phobias are intense, irrational fear of specific objects or situations. A notable example is Social anxiety disorder.
an extreme fear of scrutiny
Phobias are intense, irrational fear of specific objects or situations. A notable example is Agoraphobia.
fear of situations where escape is difficult
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors) like excessive handwashing or checking.
- more common in teens and young adults.
PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
Triggered by trauma & includes symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness.
- risk factors include heightened emotional distress during trauma, a sensitive limbic system & genetic predispositions.
Anorexia Nervosa
an eating disorder characterized by extreme food restriction, leading to self-starvation.
key characteristics:
- extreme food restriction leading to self-starvation.
- intense fear of gaining weight despite being underweight.
- may involve excessive exercise.
commonly affects:
- teenage girls
Bulimia Nervosa
involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.
key characteristics:
- cycles of binge eating followed by purging behaviors (vomiting, laxative use, fasting, excessive exercise)
- weight fluctuates within or above normal range
- triggered by “forbidden foods”.
commonly affects:
- women in their late teens or early 20s, but can occur in men
Binge Eating Disorder
involves episodes of excessive eating followed by feelings of remorse, w/o purging behaviors.
key characteristics:
- episodes of excessive eating
- no purging or compensatory behaviors
- feelings of remorse after binge eating
commonly affects:
- about 1 in 200 females and 1 in 100 males.
Mood disorders involve emotional extremes and come in 2 principal forms: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
prolonged periods of hopelessness & lethargy that impair daily functioning.
