(DISM) WEEK O2-03: STRESS

STRESS

A non-specific response of the body, or the body’s reaction to a demanding situation.

EUSTRESS

Results from something good and we react positively.

DISTRESS

Results from something bad and we react negatively.

STRESSORS

things that cause stress. Almost everything is a stressor depending on the individual.

PHYSICAL STRESSORS

Physical conditions of your body and the environment that affect your physical well-being.

- Thirst

- Hunger

- Lack of Sleep

- Sickness

- Accidents or Catastrophes

EMOTIONAL STRESSORS

The stressors that affect your physical and emotional well-being.

- Worry

- Fear

- Grief

- Depression

- Anger

SOCIAL STRESSORS

Arise from your relationships with other people.

- Family

- Friends

- Teachers

- Employers

- Peers

Alarm Stage

which is referred to as Fight or Flight.

This is when the body reacts to the stressor. Anything that causes you to worry or get excited, or causes emotional or physical changes can start the alarm reaction.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT

The body’s natural protective technique. We react the same to both positive and negative types of stress.

STAGE 1: ALARM PHASE

During this phase, adrenaline is released.

ADRENALINE:

The chemical which gives our body energy to perform physical acts. In an emergency our adrenaline amount rises

STAGE 2: RESISTANCE

In stage two, the _____ stage, the immune system starts to resist or fight the stressor. You feel exasperated and are impatient with trivial matters. You miss your sleep schedules and find your resistance lowering. The normal indications of this level are exhaustion, weariness, anxiousness, and being forgetful.

STAGE 3: EXHAUSTION

In extreme cases our body is unable to handle the stress and it succumbs to the stressor and we call this the ____ phase. We may become sick or medical treatments may become necessary. If the stressor is too great, as in the case of disease that the body cannot fight, death can occur.

Endorphins

One of the best and most productive ways to handle stress is to exercise. Exercise releases stress reducing chemicals in the body called ____

SOCIAL STRESSORS

Arise from your relationships with other people.

post-traumatic stress syndrome

Although individual reactions vary, clinical researchers have identified a common pattern of behavioral, biological, psychological, and social responses among individuals exposed directly or vicariously to life-threatening events. This response pattern is known as _______

EXTREME PERITRAUMATIC STRESS REACTIONS

include any of the following reactions if they are of sufficient intensity to cause significant impairment in reality orientation, communication, relationships, recreation and self-care, or work and education

peritraumatic

(i.e., those symptoms which occur during or immediately after the traumatic disaster experience)

DISSOCIATION

Depersonalization, Derealization, Fugue states, Amnesia

INTRUSIVE RE-EXPERIENCING

Flashbacks, Terrifying memories or nightmares, repetitive automatic re-enactment

AVOIDANCE

Agoraphobic like social withdrawal

HYPERAROUSAL

Panic episodes, startle reactions, fighting or temper problems

ANXIETY

Debilitating worry, nervousness, vulnerability or powerlessness

DEPRESSION

Anhedonia, worthlessness, loss of interest in most activities, awakening early, persistent fatigue, and lack of motivation

PROBLEMATIC SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Abuse or dependency, self medication

PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS

Delusions, hallucinations, bizarre thoughts or images, catatonia

ACUTE STRESS DISORDER

the development of anxiety, dissociation, and other symptoms that occur within one month of exposure to a traumatic stressor. Acute Stress Disorder is characterized by five major response patterns: dissociation or a subjective sense of emotional numbing, a re-experiencing of the event, behavioral avoidance, increased physiologic arousal and social-occupational impairment.

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

a prolonged post-traumatic stress response. In addition, there may be much greater personality and social impairment than evidenced in the common stress reactions survivors experience following a disaster.