Stress and Mental Health

Stress

used to describe process of response to any stimuli

homeostasis

bodys tendency to resist physiologic processes such as blood glucose, pH, and oxygen

allostasis

how the body adapts to maintain physiologic stability

acute stress

intense biopsychosocial reaction to a threatening event, is time limited but can occur repeated

chronic stress

ongoing physiologic reaction to events resulting in wear and tear negatively impacts health and well beingal

allostatic load

consequence of the wear and tear on the body

diathesis

genetic predisposition that increases susceptibility

general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

corticosteroid secretion from pituitary gland → contributes to development of illnesses

what is activated under GAS

HP axis → hypothalamus secretes corticotropin releasing hormone, increasing ACTH from pituitary, increasing cortisol

appraisal

process where potentially stress events are evaluated for meaning and significance to individual well-beings

stress

process arising from real or perceived internal or external environmental demands

coping

a deliberate planned and psychological effort to manage stressful demands

adaptation

an individuals capacity to survive and flourish in severe stress

adaptation affects three important areas,

health, psychological well-being, and social functioning

maladaption

illness, decreased self-esteem, decreased confidence, and social dysfunction

what kind of coping leads to adaptation

positive

what are the fight and flight physiologic changes

sympathetic nervous system

what happens to wbc count when stressed

elevated

what happens to b/t cells

decreased

transactional stress model

appraisal, stress, coping, and adaptation