Stress-Related Disorders (Psychiatry)

Flashcards covering the stress model, physiological responses (HPA-axis), General Adaptation Syndrome, coping families, and traumatological concepts including PTSD and ASD.

Stress (Psychology)

A psychological state of pressure or tension that occurs in response to environmental demands.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system, originating from the thoracolumbar area ($thoracic$ and $lumbar$ vertebrae), that prepares the body for action.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system, originating from the craniosacral area (brain base and tailbone), that promotes rest and recovery.

HPA-axis

The Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal axis; a major neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes.

CRF

Corticotropin Releasing Factor; a hormone released by the hypothalamus that triggers the stress response pathway.

ACTH

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; a hormone released by the pituitary gland into the blood that stimulates the adrenal glands.

Cortisol

A stress hormone released by the adrenal glands that has metabolic effects and can suppress the immune system during prolonged stress.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that are part of the immune system; their function can be weakened by psychological stress.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A model developed by Selye describing the body's three-stage response to stress: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

Alarm Phase

The first stage of GAS, consisting of a shock phase (lower blood pressure and heart rate) followed by a countershock phase where the fight-flight response is activated.

Resistance Phase

The second stage of GAS where the body's ability to cope with the stressor peaks, though often at the cost of immune system health.

Exhaustion Phase

The final stage of GAS where resources are depleted and the organism becomes highly vulnerable to illness.

Problem Solving (Coping Style)

An active, adaptive coping family focused on strategizing, planning, and mastery to change circumstances.

Information Seeking (Coping Style)

A coping family that involves reading, observing, and asking others to learn more about the stressor.

Helplessness (Coping Style)

A passive, maladaptive coping family characterized by confusion, cognitive exhaustion, and passivity.

Escape or Avoidance (Coping Style)

A passive coping family involving behavioral avoidance, mental withdrawal, or denial to escape a stressful environment.

Self-comforting (Coping Style)

An active coping family focused on self-care, relaxation, and emotional regulation.

Support-seeking (Coping Style)

An active coping family involving seeking instrumental or emotional aid from social networks or attachment figures.

Delegation (Coping Style)

A passive, maladaptive coping family involving excessive or negative dependence on others, such as complaining or self-pity.

Social Isolation (Coping Style)

A passive coping family characterized by avoiding others and concealment due to shame or shock.

Accommodation (Coping Style)

An active coping family where the individual adjusts themselves to the situation through cognitive restructuring or minimization.

Negotiation (Coping Style)

An active coping family involving bargaining or persuasion to reach a compromise between preferences and available options.

Submission (Coping Style)

A passive, maladaptive coping family involving rumination, rigid perseveration, and giving up on individual preferences.

Opposition (Coping Style)

An active but maladaptive coping family characterized by aggression, defiance, and blaming others.

Type I Trauma

A single, limited, and unexpected life-threatening event such as a traffic accident or natural disaster.

Type II Trauma

Repeated and long-term exposure to traumatic events, such as chronic physical abuse or war.

Acute Stress Disorder

An acute maladaptive reaction occurring within days or weeks following a trauma, lasting no more than one month.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A persistent maladaptive reaction to trauma involving re-experiencing, avoidance, negative cognitions, and arousal.

Adjustment Disorder

An abnormal emotional or behavioral response to a stressful event that causes significant impairment in functioning.

Dissociative Amnesia

A PTSD symptom involving the inability to remember important, usually stressful, aspects of the traumatic event.

Amygdala (in Trauma)

The brain's emotion center that becomes hyperactive after trauma, causing increased anxiety and difficulty distinguishing safety from danger.

Hippocampus (in Trauma)

The brain structure for memory that may deactivate during trauma, leading to fragmented, 'timeless' memories.

Prefrontal Cortex (in Trauma)

The brain's control center for reasoning and emotioregulation which, when deactivated, fails to temper the responses of the amygdala.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

The primary treatment choice for PTSD, involving gradual exposure to traumatic cues and cognitive restructuring.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing; a treatment method using eye movements to help process and integrate traumatic memories.