Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health

Stress

The process by which we perceive and respond to events (stressors) that are appraised as threatening or challenging. Stress activates physiological and psychological responses, affecting both mental and physical health.

Daily Hassles

Minor, everyday stressors like traffic, misplacing items, or interpersonal conflicts. While individually small, their cumulative effect can lead to chronic stress and affect overall well-being.

Major Life Events

Significant occurrences (e.g., marriage, divorce, job changes) requiring substantial adjustment, often leading to heightened stress. These events can be positive or negative and impact mental and physical health.

Catastrophes

Large-scale, unpredictable disasters (e.g., earthquakes, wars, pandemics) that cause intense stress and can lead to long-term psychological effects like PTSD.

Cognitive Appraisal Theory

A theory proposed by Richard Lazarus explaining that stress arises from how individuals evaluate and interpret events. It consists of two stages: primary and secondary appraisal.

Primary Appraisal

The first stage of cognitive appraisal where an individual determines whether an event is irrelevant, positive, or stressful. The initial emotional response is shaped by this evaluation.

Secondary Appraisal

The second stage of cognitive appraisal where an individual evaluates their resources and ability to cope with the stressor. The perception of available coping resources can reduce or increase stress.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A model by Hans Selye describing the body's response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Chronic stress can lead to physical and psychological damage.

Alarm Reaction

The first stage of GAS, where the body detects a stressor and activates the "fight-or-flight" response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Resistance

The second stage of GAS, where the body tries to adapt to the stressor by maintaining heightened alertness and energy expenditure. Prolonged resistance can strain the body.

Exhaustion

The final stage of GAS, where the body’s resources are depleted after prolonged stress. This stage increases vulnerability to illness and mental health issues.

Coping Mechanisms

Strategies used to manage stress and challenging situations. These mechanisms can be adaptive (e.g., problem-solving, social support) or maladaptive (e.g., avoidance, substance use).

Problem-Focused Coping

A coping strategy where the individual directly addresses the stressor by finding solutions or taking actions to manage the problem.

Emotion-Focused Coping

A coping strategy focused on managing the emotional response to stress rather than addressing the stressor itself. Techniques include seeking emotional support and relaxation.

Anxiety Disorders

Psychological conditions characterized by excessive fear, worry, or nervousness, which interfere with daily functioning. Examples include generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A condition marked by persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, causing physical symptoms like fatigue, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating.

Phobias

Intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities, which lead to avoidance behavior and can interfere with daily life.

Panic Disorder

A condition characterized by recurrent panic attacks, which involve sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort with symptoms like a racing heart, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Major Depressive Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, along with symptoms like changes in sleep and appetite.

Mood Disorders

Mental health conditions involving disturbances in mood, such as prolonged sadness or elevated mood. Examples include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder marked by extreme shifts in mood, from manic episodes (elevated mood) to depressive episodes (intense sadness), affecting energy and behavior.

Schizophrenia

A psychotic disorder characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, leading to difficulty distinguishing between reality and perception.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight, leading to extreme restriction of food intake and a distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder involving episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, driven by a desire to control weight.

Binge-Eating Disorder

A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period, accompanied by a loss of control, without compensatory behaviors like purging.

Somatic Symptom Disorders

Psychological conditions where individuals experience physical symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue) with no clear medical explanation, often linked to stress or anxiety.

Psychotherapy

A therapeutic approach to treat psychological disorders by engaging individuals in structured conversations with trained professionals, helping them manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A goal-oriented psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to psychological distress.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach developed by Sigmund Freud, focused on exploring unconscious thoughts and early experiences to understand current behaviors and emotions.

Biomedical Therapies

Medical treatments, including medications (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics) and physical interventions (e.g., electroconvulsive therapy), used to treat psychological disorders.