Psychology and Management of Stress
- Jane Jerard
Outline and evaluate
- Selye's (1956) Standard Adaptation Syndrome of stress
Selye's General Version Syndrome of Stress is a model that analyses an individual's response to long-term stress which is divided into three main phases, the initial alarm level, the interim amount of resistance stage and lastly the exhaustion level (Nicky Hayes, 1994). If the stressor persists the individual will progress through each of the stages, and sometimes disease and even fatality can effect.
During the security alarm stage the body reacts to the stressor with a 'struggle or flight' response in which the parasympathetic anxious system is turned on and human hormones (e. g. adrenalin and noradrenaline) are released from the adrenal medulla (Richard Gross, 2010). When the stressor remains, your body then goes into the resistance level during which it could outwardly seem to be operating normally, however levels of blood sugar, cortisol (activated by adrenocorticotrophic hormones known as ACTH) and adrenaline continue to be greater than normal and the individual's heart rate, blood circulation pressure and respiration will be greater than normal. The average person may appear peaceful but they are physically and psychologically at 'action channels' (currentnursing. com, 2014). Through the final, exhaustion level the further release of ACTH is inhibited by the hormones it has already activated and the degrees of ACTH itself circulating in the bloodstream. At this point the body begins to consume its energy reserves or resources and the body cannot function effectively. Blood sugar drop and the individual becomes susceptible to disease and fatality. As Nicky Hayes (1994, p450) claims 'This [final stage] produces an instantaneous and strong - sometimes high - reaction to even mild sources of additional stress'.
As a model of stress, the overall Adaption Syndrome (GAS) is focused mainly on the body' physiological respond to stress. It generally does not consider other factors influencing a person's respond to stress such as their thoughts, perceptions or thoughts and exactly how these cognitive and psychological factors impact upon their connection with stress itself (garysturt, 2004). Nonetheless the GAS was a hugely important model which generated a great deal of further study (currentnursing. com, 2014).
- Folkman & Lazarus' (1984) Cognitive Appraisal Theory of stress
Unlike the GAS model of stress, the Cognitive Appraisal Theory of stress focuses on a person's cognition of an stressor which informs their psychological response. It is 'a theory of emotion which implicates individuals personal interpretation of a meeting in deciding their emotional effect' (psychcentral, 2014). The way in which an individual interprets the stressor is significant and regarding to Folkman and Lazarus we react to a demanding event or situation by making an initial appraisal, where we assess whether the event is harmful to us either bodily or in terms in our esteem, core beliefs and our worth or goals (Folkman, 1986). Through the extra appraisal (which can take place before, at exactly the same time or after main appraisal) we consider whether we've the resources to control the stressor; the outcome of which influences our coping strategy.
Coping strategies can be known as either: problem structured; where the stressor is regarded as difficult and we create strategies to control it or answers to take it off, or emotional structured; where the problem is considered to be always a threat that cannot be resolved and various coping strategies such as avoidance, distancing and popularity are employed (blackswanstress, 2014).
According to the Cognitive Appraisal of Stress model then, in response to a stressor we set up if there is a threat, use coping strategies and then reassesses the threat which results in identification of emotional responses (Nicky Hayes, 1994). Stress is viewed in a more transactional sense, as a two way process where individuals respond dynamically to their environment. Unlike the GAS model then, cognitive solutions are of paramount importance and it is a more liquid and reactive model, recognising the importance of the average person in each and every stress response.
With mention of the case study, examine the evidence that there surely is a link between personality and stress.
There is little dispute that life happenings can have a dramatic effect on an individual's mental health, and even their physical health. However a person's a reaction to a stressor is subjective and influenced by their cognitive and psychological makeup. A person's experience of stress depends after their personality. Kobasa (1979) proposed that this respond to stressful situations will be decided partly by an individual's hardiness, with those low on hardiness much more likely to experience subconscious and physiological illness in response to stressful lifestyle happenings, whilst those on top of hardiness are buffered to a certain degree from the consequences of stress, using research between executives to lower back up this hypothesis. Hardiness is usually to be recognized as having a feeling of dedication (both individual and work related), as having an internal locus of control and, as a positive response to change enjoying it more as an effort and less as a menace (psych. uft. ed, 2014).
Other studies of personality support the task done by Kobasa, for example Ironson (2010) completed a report on disease progression in HIV where she discovered that 'Those low on optimism (25th percentile) lost Disc4 cells for a price 1. 55 times faster than those on top of optimism (75th percentile). . . enjoy[ing] health benefits partly through behavioural (proactive behaviour), cognitive (avoidant coping), and affective (depressive disorder) pathways'. Even though some studies such as Funk & Houston 1987, and Schmid & Lawler 1986, have not recognized or replicated Kobasa's studies it is assumed that at least in terms of cognitive functions, personality and an individual's subjective response to life situations (difficult or not) immediately impact their experience of stress, and the degree to that they experience stress (fatih. edu. tr, 2014).
With reference to the research study, Nick could be described as having low degrees of hardiness. Although his commitment to his work seems high it is at the expense of his sense of determination to himself (evidenced by his persistent failure to take a lunch break). Furthermore his feeling out of control may signify that he has an external locus of control and finally his rigid attitude towards his work life may claim that he might struggle with change, enjoying it more as a menace and less as a chance. Relating to Kobasa et al, this could make clear why he instantly experienced chest aches and pains (which could be the panic attack or symptoms of a heart and soul condition).
Nick's GP recommended the anti-anxiety drug Benzodiazepine to help him deal with stress symptoms.
- Briefly clarify how benzodiazapene works on the body
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a normally occurring neurotransmitter, which inhibits neuron activity in the brain. Around 40% of the mind responds to the occurrence of GABA and so when a person takes benzodiazepine which boosts the activity of GBA, they experience a general calming result, or a slowing down of the brain. 'It [GABA] is in a few ways the physiques natural hypnotic and tranquilizer' (benzo. org. uk, 2014). The neurons are less responsive because they have become supercharged by the presence of chloride ions which have been channelled through GABA receptors. The occurrence of benzodiazepine (which locates itself within the GABA receptor site) serves to raise the rate of which chloride ions flood the neuron so that it is less attentive to other stimuli.
- Discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of taking benzodiazepine to alleviate stress
The features of benzodiazepines are that they are anxiolytic (relieve anxiousness) therefore decrease the physiological symptoms of a variety of panic and anxiety disorders as well as phobias. They are also hypnotic and cause sleepiness which can assist with any sleep problems that an person may experience (insomnia, or other types of sleep disorders often accompany stress). Over a short term period then, benzodiaepines can be beneficial, especially for many who suffer from stress and have disturbed habits of sleep. However they are highly addictive and so cannot be used for greater than a 4 week period, therefore they are not a remedy in themselves and because of this they are rarely recommended in isolation. Usually some kind of CBT is prescribed concurrently with a course of benzodiazepine. Furthermore the body quickly adjusts to the medicine and higher and higher doses are required to achieve the same impact.
Nicks GP also advised that he undertakes cognitive behavioural remedy (CBT)
Outline the main features of CBT and discuss its usefulness in dealing with stress.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a sensible therapy which targets problems in the present, rather than issues from an individual's past. The client and the CBT clinician will consent specific goals, and a strategy and timescale at the outset. There is a strong focus on the therapeutic romance between the consumer and the clinician and the client is much more active in terms of adding the therapy into practice; the skills and techniques learned during each session is 'tested' by your client in their homework. They are to see immediately through repeated practice if these techniques work.
The general underlying assumption of CBT is the fact maladaptive means of considering stem from cognitive mistakes which should be challenged systematically throughout the span of the treatment. Different disorders are characterised by different cognitive errors. As a result of this there's a wide selection of CBT methods available. How CBT is delivered is also flexible and includes self-help (books, DVD's and ever more popular PC or online formats), group CBT (particularly useful with cultural phobias) and CBT enlightened specific interventions (classes) (Graeme Whitefield, 2007).
CBT is useful in treating stress since it challenges the main assumptions we make (our maladaptive thinking) that add or even create our experience of stress, or our interpretation of an event as nerve-racking or not. In the above research study, Nicks opinion that he requires control at work, or that controlling his work environment is an possible goal could be challenged. His home work would include different approaches to his morning such as making sure he takes regular breaks and he would 'see for himself' the cognitive mistakes that have resulted in the maladaptive convinced that you need to be on the go on a regular basis at work to succeed etc. Because CBT targets symptoms experienced in the here and today, and because stress is just such a symptom, it (CBT) is a very effective method of treating stress with a strong evidence base to aid this (additionally it is affordable and effective in terms of the time).
Read the following case study and:
- Identify two life occurrences and two daily problems that may be creating Selina stress
Selina's mother has been identified as having a terminal health issues, and she has lately divorced from her husband. Both these are considered significant life situations in line with the Social Readjustment Ranking Size (SRRS). The scale rates divorce as the next highest way to obtain stress with a mean value of 73, whilst the change of health of a member of family comes in at 11th on the size with a mean value of 44. In conditions of daily inconveniences her children frequently quarrel and she encounters congestion which will often make the kids late for institution.
- How, matching to Holmes and Rahe, do life incidents cause stress and how do they benefit people in the long term?
The Holmes and Rahe questionnaire recognizes what it considers to be significant life incidents in the causation of stress, and rates them based on the associated levels of stress that they might induce. Upon completing a questionnaire, those who obtained highly (i. e. experienced a significant quantity of life events within the last a year) are expected to be at a larger chance of experiencing stress and producing health issues than those who didn't. The results with their studies showed a tiny positive correlation meaning that life situations are part of (but not wholly) the cause of conditions (simplypsychology, 2014). The varieties of physiological results stress can have on your body include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, a repressed immune system and gastric ulcers (mindset4a, 2014). Other results include being more susceptible to accidents. The fundamental assumption being these life happenings are negative changes and that they cause us to see stress which impacts our wellbeing in the long term.
