Stress, Adaptation, & Coping

Definition of Stress

A state produced by an environmental change perceived as challenging, threatening, or damaging to equilibrium.

Constancy

The condition of balance within the body that is unchanging.

Homeostasis

The tendency towards stable physiologic equilibrium requiring maintenance of systems.

Adaptation

Adjustment to change so a person gains equilibrium and has energy to meet new demands.

Adaptive Response

effects lead to health

Types of Stressors

Can be internal or external, categorized as physical, physiologic, or psychosocial.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Selye's theory of the body's physical response to stress based on neurologic and hormonal processes.

GAS Alarm Phase

Sympathetic nervous system fight-or-flight response with catecholamine release; self-limiting.

GAS Resistance Phase

Adaptation occurs to the stressor while cortisol activity remains increased.

GAS Exhaustion Phase

Endocrine activity continues; the body will fail if exposure to the stressor is prolonged.

Fight-or-Flight (Alarm) Response

SNS stimulates epinephrine and norepinephrine release, increasing HR, BP, RR, and blood glucose.

Role of Cortisol in Stress

Acts as an immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory hormone while the liver releases stored glucose.

Primary Appraisal

Cognitive appraisal evaluating whether a situation is stressful and what is at stake.

Psychosomatic Disease

Physical diseases and disorders thought to be caused or worsened by stress.

Coping Enhancement

Nursing intervention assisting patients to adapt to perceived stressors, changes, or threats.

Maladaptive Response

effects lead to disease

Caregiver for pt with chronic degenrative illness

Stress-related illness risk

How to feel better during stress

Emotion-focused efforts

What to do to fix the stressor

Problem-focused efforts

Inflammation-causing foods

Chocolate, gluten, nuts,white flour, simple sugars, simple starches

Inflammation-reducing foods

Fish oil, flaxx seeds, cherries, green tea, cinnamon, garlic, wintergreen, dark chocolate

What kind of intervention is exercise and nutrition for stress?

Health promotion

ADH & Aldosterone cause ___

sodium & water retention

Example of ALARM phase of GAS

A pt. with open fracture, pulse of 120, clammy skin

Example of resistance phase of GAS

Nursing student studying for test, increasing irritability

Examples of maladaptive stress response

Denial, avoidance, and distancing