Introduction to Mental Health Professions and Stress Mechanics

Vocabulary flashcards covering the distinction between mental health professionals, definitions and types of stress, stages of stress response, and related statistics from the lecture transcript.

Psychiatrist

An actual medical doctor who usually works in a clinical or hospital setting, provides direct care, and is authorized to prescribe medication.

Psychologist

A mental health professional focused on cognitive and behavioral modification who helps guide individuals to work through their problems but cannot prescribe medication.

Stress

Anything perceived by the body to be a threat, whether real or unreal, rational or irrational, that triggers a physiological stress response.

Stressor

The specific event, situation, or factor that actually causes stress.

Distress

The negative type of stress resulting from adverse circumstances, such as financial troubles or family issues.

Eustress

The good or positive type of stress associated with happy or exciting life events, such as getting married or going on a date.

Homeostasis

The body's baseline state of optimal physical and mental operation where conditions remain balanced and at an even keel.

Alarm Phase

The initial stage of the general adaptation cycle in which the body first encounters and perceives a stressor.

Resistance Stage

The middle phase of the stress cycle where the body maintains its elevated response to the stressor before becoming exhausted.

Acute Stress Response

Short-term physical reactions to stress that include increased blood flow to the brain and muscles, expanded pupil dilation, and heightened breathing rates.

Seventy Percent (70%) Statistic

The estimated proportion of all chronic health conditions that stem from stress as an underlying cause.

Overload

A state of excessive stress caused by taking on too many voluntary commitments and responsibilities without saying no.