Stress adaptation

Stress adaptationBy: ImavikeConcept of stressStress can have physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual consequences.The effects are mixed because stress affects the whole person.Stress as a stimulusA life event (sometimes called a life change) or set of circumstances causing a disrupted response that increase the individuals vulnerability to illnessThe degree of stress the event presents can be highly individualPeople who have a high level of stress are often more prone to illness and have lowered ability to cope with illness and subsequent stressStress as a responseThe disruption caused by a noxious stimulus or stressorStressor is any factor that produces stress and disturbs the bodys equilibriumReactions rather than events are the focusGeneral Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and Local Adaptation syndrome (LAS)4GASRelease of certain adaptive hormones and subsequent changes in the structure and chemical composition of the body affected body: GI tract, adrenal glands, lymphatic structures with prolong stress the adrenal glands enlarge, the lymphatic structures atrophy, appears deep ulcers in the lining of the stomachLAS --- ex: inflammationStages of adaptation to stressAlarm Reaction (AR)Stage of Resistance (SR)Stage of Exhaustion (SE)

Stages of adaptation to stress

Stress as a transactionThe Lazarus transactional theory (focus on mental and psychological response)Cognitive responseAffective responseAdaptive (coping) response

The person and environment is inseparable; each affects and is affected by the otherCognitive appraisal is an evaluative process that determines why and to what extent a particular transactions between the person and the environment is stressfulPhysiologic manifestationsPupils dilate to increase visual perception when serious threats to the body ariseSweat production increases to control elevated body heat due to increased metabolismThe heart rate increases, which leads to an increased pulse rate to transport nutrientsBlood pressure increasedUrinary output decreasesthe mouth may be dryetc

Psychological manifestationsAnxiety, fear, anger, depression, cognitive behaviors, verbal and motor responses and unconscious ego defense mechanisms.Coping mechanismsCoping mechanisms (strategies) --- coping can be adaptive or maladaptiveDivided into long-term and short-term strategiesLong-term strategies : ex. Talking with others and trying to find out moreShort-term strategies : ex. Using alcoholic beverages or drugs, daydreaming, and relying on the belief that everything will work out

AnxietyIs a state of mental uneasiness, apprehension, dread or forebodingA feeling of helplessness related to an impending or anticipated unidentified threat to self or significant relationshipsLevel of anxietyMild anxiety which produces slight arousal state and enhances perceptions, learning and productive abilities that prompts a person to seek informationModerate anxiety --- express feeling of nervousness, tension or concern.Severe anxietyPeople are unable to focus on what is really happening, focuses on only one specific detail of the situation generating the anxiety PanicAn overpowering, frightening level of anxiety causing the person to lose control

FearA mild to severe feeling of apprehension about some perceived threat.

Anxiety differs from fear in four waysThe source of anxiety is not identifiable; the source of fear is identifiableAnxiety is related to the future, that is, to an anticipated event. Fear is related to the presentAnxiety is a unclear, whereas fear is definiteAnxiety is the result of psychologic or emotional conflict; fear is the result of a discrete physical or psychologic entityAnger An emotional state consisting of a subjective feeling of animosity or strong displeasure

DepressionA common reaction to events that seem overwhelming or negative

Cognitive manifestationsThinking responses including problem solving, structuring, self-control (discipline) suppression, fantasy and prayerProblem solvingInvolves thinking through the threatening situation, using specific steps, similar to those of the nursing process, to arrive at a solution.StructuringThe arrangement or manipulation of a situation so that threatening events do not occur.Ex: a nurse can structure or control an interview with a patient by asking only direct, closed questions.Self-control (discipline)Assuming a manner and facial expression that convey a sense of being in control or in charge, no matter the situation is.SuppressionIs consciously and willfully putting a thought or feeling out of mindRelieves stress temporarily but does not solve the problemFantasy or daydreamingUnfulfilled wishes and desires are imagined as fulfilled or a threatening experience is reworked or replayed so that it ends differently from realityPrayerInvolves identifying and describing the problem, suggesting solutions and reaching out for support and helpVerbal and motor manifestationsInclude crying, verbal abuse, laughing, screaming, hitting and kicking, and holding and touchingUnconscious ego defense mechanismBy Sigmund FreudDefense mechanism are the unconscious mind working to protect the person from anxietyInclude:DenialRationalizationCompensationRepressionRegression6. Sublimation7. Identification8. Projection9. Conversion10. Displacement11. Reaction formationDenialBlocking painful or anxiety-producing aspects of reality out of consciousness.RationalizationOften referred to as the sour-grapes or :half-truth mechanismGood reason, acceptable to the conscious mind, are given for behavior or circumstances instead of the real reasonCompensationSubstituting an activity for one that the person really would like to do or cannot doRepressionExcluding from consciousness desires, impulses, thoughts, memories and strivings that conflict with self-image or that involves quilt, shame or lowering of self-esteemThe painful events cannot be recalled or recognizedAn underlying basis of all the defense mechanismsRegressionAdopting behavior that was comforting earlier in life to overcome the discomfort and insecurity of the present situationSublimationRedirecting libidinal drives (sexual and aggression) into socially acceptable channelsIdentificationAssuming the attitudes, ideas and behavior patterns of another person or persons; it is an important growth mechanism for childrenIt is unconscious and differs from imitation, which is consciousProjectionAttributing to others characteristics and feelings that one does not want to admit are ones ownConversionTransforming a mental conflict into a physical symptomDisplacementTransferring an emotion or feeling from the actual object to a less dangerous or threatening substituteReaction formationActing oppositely to what the person truly feelsFactors influencing the manifestations of stressThe nature of the stressorPerception of the stressorNumber of simultaneous stressorsDuration of exposure to the stressorExperiences with a comparable stressorAgeThe availability of support peopleAdaptationResults when the individual is able to effect a series of behaviors and mental processes to neutralize the stress experience and reestablish integrity of functionCharacteristics of adaptive responsesAll adaptive responses are attempts to maintain homeostasisAdaptation is a whole body or total organism responseAdaptive responses have limitsAdaptation requires timeAdaptability varies from person to personAdaptive responses may be inadequate or excessiveAdaptive responses are egocentric and tiring because they require body energy and tax physical and psychologic resourcesHow to minimizing anxiety and stress?Mediating angerMassageProgressive relaxationGuided imageryBiofeedbackTherapeutic touchThankyou