Understanding Stress: Components, Reactions, and Coping Strategies

1. Unit 6: Adjustment and Breakdown Ch 15: Stress and Health Ch 16: Psychological Disorders Ch 17: Therapy and Change

2. Stress The anxious or threatening feeling resulting from _____________ of a situation + our perception of the ___________________. Some see it as an _______ that produces tension or worry. Some see it as a person’s physical + psychological _______ to such an event. Some see it as a person’s ________ of the event. Ch 15 – Stress and Health

3. Components of stress: A stressor is a ____________ event or situation. Stress reaction refers to the body’s _______________ to a stressor. Distress is ____________ that comes from anxiety. Eustress is ___________ that comes from motivating strivings + challenges. The cognitive model of stress refers to how people perceive + evaluate a situation before _______________________.

4. Conflict situations Occur when a person ____________ b/w 2 or more options that tend to result from ______________. Ex. Go to a movie w/ friends or stay home + study for a psychology test? __________________ – you want to socialize + do well in school. 4 types: 1. _______________ conflict: the person must choose b/w 2 ____________ alternatives. 2. __________________ conflict: the person must confront 2 ____________ alternatives. 3. __________________ conflict: the person _____________________, but has fears + doubts, or is repulsed by it as well. 4. ________________________ conflict: the person must choose b/w 2 or more alternatives, each of which has __________ ___________ aspects. Our primary appraisal refers to our ___________ ____________ of a situation. There are 3 types: irrelevant, positive, or negative. Our secondary appraisal refers to deciding how to deal w/ a situation + what ______________ to use.

5. Environmental stresses Noise – Americans regard noise as one of the ______________ in their lives. It’s particularly aggravating when it is loud, irregular, +/or ______________. 3rd + 4th graders in the flight path of major airports showed higher _______ ___________ + stress hormones. Crowding – It’s a problem when you __________. Can lead to ___________. _______________ – can be positive or negative. Death, marriage, divorce, moving, etc… Hassles – relatively ______________ stressors. Lost keys, stuck in traffic, etc… Can gradually weaken your ___________. Uplifts – are small, _______________ that can stress. End Section 1

6. Our reactions to stress Many physiological responses to stress are ____________ that probably evolved to cope w/ ____________________. But what worked for our remote ancestors isn’t always as ________ in our modern society. People’s reactions to stress __________. Reactions may be physical, ___________, or behavioral. But these are all __________, + so problems in one area may lead to ___________________. Ex. If you’re having psychological issues, that may trigger a _______________.

7. Fight-or-flight response Response in reaction to an _______. Regardless of the stressor, the body reacts w/ ____________________. The adrenal glands begin producing: 1. Hormones that the amount of blood sugar for _________. 2. _________ which causes rapid heartbeat + breathing. It also enables the body to _________ _______________. Those responses are designed to prepare a person for ____________. Necessary in wild animals (+ sometimes humans) for ______. If the stress persists for a long time, the body’s resources are used up. The person ___________________ + in extreme cases dies.

8. General adaptation syndrome Has 3 stages: 1. ____ – fight-or-flight response occurs + person becomes _____________. 2. __________ – the person often finds means to cope w/ the stressor. Ex. Telling yourself to _________. Person may suffer psychosomatic symptoms (_________________ caused by stress or tension). If _______________________ continues, the individual reaches the 3rd stage: 3. _________ – the continuous release of hormones during the fight-or-flight response has left the person exhausted + unable to _______________________. He/she may become disoriented + delirious.

9. Emotional + cognitive responses to stress Emotional reactions include: Anxiety (a vague, generalized apprehension or ________________) Anger (the irate reaction likely to result from ___________) Fear (the usual reaction when a stressor involves ________________ danger) – it directs the person to flee, but in severe cases he/she may panic + be __________________. Common examples of emotional stress reactions are overreacting to _______ __________, getting no joy from daily pleasures, + doubting one’s _____________. Cognitive reactions include: Difficulty ____________ Recurring thoughts Poor ______________ Unjustified _________________

10. Prolonged stress Prolonged stress can lead to __________. People who are burned out are incapable of doing their job well + are physically + _____________________________. Prolonged stress, in combination w/ other factors, adversely affects ____________. It doesn’t cause mental illness, but can contribute to the ________ of it. Post-traumatic stress disorder is when a person who has experienced a __________ ________ feels severe + long-lasting ____________. It overwhelms a person’s normal sense of reality + ability to cope.

11. Behavioral responses to stress Behavioral reactions include: __________________ Overeat or not eat enough Smoke or drink more ____________ ____________ for no reason Develop a shaky voice, tremors, etc… Changes in _________ Lose interest in grooming, bathing, etc… ____________ ______________ may occur at times – like the people who risk their lives during disasters to help others. Severe stress can contribute to the development of an _______________ which can lead to alcoholism, drug addiction, __________________, etc…

12. Physical responses to stress Our thoughts + emotions can produce ___________ changes in our bodies. Physical reactions include: Initial fight-or-flight response leads to faster _____________. _____________________ such as headaches, stomachaches, + muscle pains. Weakens the _________________. Contributing cause to illnesses like ulcers, ____________, arthritis, asthma, + _______ disease.

14. Factors influencing reactions to stress People have _________________ to stress. Some factors that influence their reactions include: _________________________. Some people’s personalities make them ________________ to stress. Perceived ______________ stressors. Physical disorders are more likely when we don’t have control over stressors. _______________ is also detrimental. People prefer __________ stress over unpredictable stress. Social support (information that leads someone to believe that he/she is cared for, ______, respected, + part of a network of communication + ___________________). Helps to the effects of stressful situations. Offer 4 types of support – _________, appraisal (_________), informational (advice), + ___________ (assistance). End Section 2

15. Coping w/ stress Coping w/ stress is a way of trying to _____ _______ over a part of your life. People cope w/ stress in ______________. Sometimes we act in ways that aren’t in our ____________. When we act in ways that hurt others, those are known as _________ ways of coping. Our cognitive appraisal is our ___________ of an event that helps determine its _____ _______. If we appraise a situation as a _______ that we can meet, our stress level . If we appraise a situation as a _____, our stress level . ________ can affect our cognitive appraisal.

16. Defensive coping strategies Denial – a coping mechanism in which a person decides that the event _________ _________. Intellectualization – a coping mechanism in which the person analyzes a situation from an ____________________ viewpoint. Both denial + intellectualization can prevent ________________ to stress. Can lead to failing to deal w/ what could be a ___________________. Stress reactions are more likely to occur when ___________________.

17. Active coping strategies By appraising a situation as a ________ + not a ________, we can adopt an active coping strategy. Active coping strategies involve changing our environment or ____________________ to remove stressors or the level of stress. ________ – refers to traits of control, commitment, + challenge. Controlling stressful situations – escape or withdrawal – if you can’t withdrawal, controlling its _______ can be helpful. ________________ – confronting the problem head-on by coming up w/ a rational analysis leading to an appropriate decision. It helps to regard situations as ______________ _________. Explanatory style – ________ vs. __________.

18. Relaxation – many relaxation techniques were developed to help ___________________. Progressive relaxation involves lying down comfortably then tensing + releasing the tension in each _________________. Meditation involves focusing attention w/ the goal of clearing one’s mind + producing an _____________. Biofeedback (the process of learning to ________________ by monitoring the states to be controlled) – helps to consciously control things like blood pressure + muscle tension. Humor – laughing releases the ______ of pent-up feelings. _______ – stress by providing an outlet for physical arousal + may burn off ________________.

19. Support groups/professional help – specialize in helping people w/ specific ________________________ (ex. therapists, AA, Weight Watchers, etc…). _______ – helps to prepare for events which stress. Exposure to moderate stressors in a ___________ ______________ environment helps a person gain ___________. Improving ____________________ – developing skills to deal w/ others. End Section 3

20. Stress in your life Growing up involves gaining a sense of autonomy (the ability to take care of oneself + make one’s __________). Going to college can be personally ________ but requires adjustment. Many people approach going to college w/ high + often ___________________________. They don’t have the experience to make realistic choices or the ____________________ their own motives + needs. College may challenge the ________ a student has established in high school. Usually a greater amount of ________ at college. May lead to the formation of developmental friendships (friends who force each other to reexamine their _________________ + perhaps adopt new ideas + beliefs). Coping strategies include ___________________, avoid doubts by wasting your time, + resynthesis (combining old ideas w/ new ones + reorganizing feelings in order to ______________________).

21. Getting a _______ Work experience is different for everyone + people _____________ to their jobs based on their ____________. ______________ refers to the attitude a worker has towards his/her job. 5 major sources of job satisfaction are: 1. __________ – having enough help + supplies to do the job well. 2. Financial reward – salary + _______. 3. _______ – job is interesting + allows worker to use his/her _________. 4. Relations w/ __________. 5. _________ – working conditions are attractive + comfortable. Comparable worth is the concept that ____ ______ should receive _______ for jobs of comparable skill + responsibility. End Section 4

22. Defining + identifying psychological disorders Just b/c a person is different from the norm doesn’t mean he/she has a _____________. So how do we __________ if someone does have a mental illness? There are 3 ways: 1. ____________________ – Acting in a way that is not considered normal. What is “_______” may vary in different societies. Not always __________. 2. ___________ – Able to get along in the world, physically, _____, + socially. ________, destructive, +/or isolated. Ch 16 – Psychological Disorders

23. 3. _____________________ – Some psychologists say that a normal/healthy person is one who is _______________ or who is striving toward ideal functioning. Others believe that to be normal/healthy involves full acceptance + expression of one’s own ______________ _________________. It’s irresponsible to label someone mentally ill b/c their _______________. Minor psychological disorders _________.

24. The problem of classification The causes + symptoms of psychological disorders + their cures are rarely ___________________. Since 1952, the APA (_____________________ _________) agreed upon a system of classifying abnormal symptoms + published it in the DSM. The DSM-5 is the 6th version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. See p. 452 for major categories of psychological disorders. W/in each category, the following descriptions are included: 1. ___________________ – defining characteristics 2. _________________ – additional features that are usually present 3. Differential diagnosis – how to distinguish it from ____________ 4. Diagnostic criteria – a list of symptoms that _______________ for a positive diagnosis

25. A patient often has more than ________________. To help w/ diagnoses, the DSM-5 uses 5 major dimensions or axes to describe a person’s ____________________: Axis I: Clarifies _____________________. Axis II: Describes developmental disorders + long-standing ______________________. Axis III: Describes physical disorders or medical conditions that are potentially relevant to __________________________ for each person. Axis IV: Measurement of the ________________ the person is functioning at. Axis V: Describes the _____________ of adaptive functioning present w/in the past year. Adaptive functioning refers to 3 major areas: social relations (family + friends), ____________________ (work), + leisure time (activities or hobbies). The 5 axes help researchers see connections b/w different disorders + other factors like stress. Many people develop a ______ at some point, but they are often ____________. End Section 1

26. Anxiety disorders Anxiety is a general state of ____________ ________ that a person feels in response to a real or imagined danger. People w/ anxiety disorders suffer from anxiety that is _________________ to the situation provoking it. The intense anxiety may interfere w/ __________________ in everyday life. People w/ these disorders share characteristics like feelings of _____ (duh!), feelings of _______________, + avoidance of dealing w/ problems. Their emotional problems may be expressed w/ _______________ like headaches, sweating, fatigue, etc… Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, ______________, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, + _____________________ disorder.

27. Generalized anxiety disorder While fear is a reaction to real + identifiable threats, anxiety is a reaction to ___________________ __________. People w/ generalized anxiety disorder experience a continuous, generalized anxiety. They fear __________________ + are unable to make decisions or ___________. They may become so preoccupied w/ their internal problems that they neglect their __________________. May develop physical symptoms such as muscular tension, an __________ _____, a furrowed brow, + a strained face. Other symptoms include poor appetite, indigestion, diarrhea, + difficulty __________. May be partly ___________ +/or influenced by a ____________ as a child.

28. Phobic disorder A phobia is a ___________ focused on a particular object, animal, activity, or situation that seems _____________ to the ______________ involved. 3 types: ________ phobias – can focus on anything or situation. Social phobias – involve fearing that you will _______________ in a public place. Agoraphobia – extreme fear of being in a _____________. Phobias range in intensity from mild to extremely ________. Phobic individuals develop _________ __________ the situations they fear.

29. Panic disorder An extreme anxiety that manifests itself in the form of ______________. Panic is a feeling of sudden, _________ _______. During a panic attack, a person experiences ____________________ attacks of intense anxiety, leading the person to feel a sense of doom +/or the feeling that he/she is about to _____. Symptoms include a sense of __________, choking, or difficulty _______ as well as faintness, dizziness, nausea, + ____________. Attacks occur w/o ______ + usually last a couple of minutes, but may last over an hour. Panic disorder may be _______ in part. The 1st attack usually occurs after a _________________.

30. OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) The obsessiveness is characterized by an ____________________ of thoughts. This may lead to compulsions which are _________ __________ coping behaviors. These things don’t always __________________. Everyone has obsessions + compulsions. It’s only considered a problem when such thoughts + activities ___________ w/ what a person wants + needs to do. Most people w/ OCD realize that their thoughts + actions are irrational, but feel ____________ them. Runs in ________. Examples of compulsions typical of OCD include _______________ excessively, counting, excessive attention to _________, etc…

31. Post-traumatic stress disorder A condition in which a person who has experienced a traumatic event feels severe + long-lasting ________________. Common among ____________________ _______ as well as survivors of terrorism, natural disasters, ___________, + human aggression. The event that triggers the disorder overwhelms a person’s ______________ + ability to cope. The disorder may begin immediately after the event or develop ______________. Symptoms are __________, recurring nightmares, insomnia, +/or feelings of ________. __________ who experiences a traumatic event develops this disorder.

32. End Section 2

33. Somatoform disorders Are physical symptoms for which there is no apparent ________________. There are 2 major types: 1. Conversion disorders occur when a person changes emotional difficulties into a loss of a specific _____________________. There is no actual ____________, but the person suffers from a real + prolonged _________. Might result in temporary ______, loss of speech, etc… 2. Hypochondriasis occurs when a person in good health becomes preoccupied w/ ____________________. Constantly looking for signs of illness + misinterprets signs of _______________ + injuries as something ________________.

34. Dissociative disorders When a person experiences a _______________ in memory, identity, or consciousness. They are ___________. Dissociative amnesia is memory loss w/ no biological explanation. It’s often caused by a ____________. Dissociative fugue is when a person suddenly + unexpectedly ___________ from home or work + is unable to _______________. It’s amnesia w/ active flight into a ________ ______________. They will establish a new _______________. May last for days or __________. When a person comes out of it, they can’t _____________________ when they were in the fugue state. Dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as ___________________ disorder) is when a person exhibits 2 or more personality states, each w/ its own patterns of _____________________. These people usually suffered __________ as children. End Section 3

35. Schizophrenia A group of disorders characterized by _______ + disconnected thoughts, emotions, + __________. It’s the most complex + severe _________ _________. A person w/ schizophrenia __________ w/ reality to a large extent. It’s not a single problem; it doesn’t have a ______ ______________ – it’s a collection of symptoms. Many people w/ schizophrenia have delusions (false beliefs maintained in the face of contrary evidence) + hallucinations (perceptions that have no direct ____________) such as hearing voices. Other symptoms include incoherence (a marked in _________ processes), disturbances of affect (emotions not _________ for the circumstances), deterioration in normal movement, in previous levels of functioning, + diverted attention – their ______________________. Affects 1 in ___ worldwide, but if it’s already in a person’s family, their odds to 1 in _____.

36. Types of schizophrenia Classified into several subtypes: _________: involves hallucinations + delusions. “_______” – believes he/she is a savior. “____________” – believes he/she is always being watched. _______: remains motionless for long periods. _____________: incoherent language, inappropriate emotions, generally disorganized motor behavior, hallucinations, + _________. ______________: has basic symptoms such as deterioration of daily functioning, delusions, hallucinations, _______________________, + thought disorders. _________: symptoms are completely gone or still exist but are ___________ not to justify earning a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Treatment is long-term + usually requires ____________. Schizophrenia may go into remission, but symptoms often __________. Recovery is possible, but _____________________.

37. Causes of schizophrenia Usually starts b/w ________________ into the 30’s. What causes schizophrenia is debated, but it’s most likely an interaction of _________, biochemical, + _______________ factors. Although it tends to ___________, if a twin develops it, his/her identical twin has a _____% chance of developing it – so it can’t just be caused by _______. Some researchers believe that the basic problem of schizophrenia is too much or too little of certain __________ interfering w/ how the brain processes information. The ___________ of people w/ schizophrenia show signs of deterioration. The role of the ___________ is unclear, but present. Studies have shown a correlation to children developing schizophrenia w/ their mother being _____ prior to pregnancy, infection during the 2nd trimester, + lack of ________ to the fetus. People who develop schizophrenia often come from families of the verge of ____________.

39. Mood disorders Occur when emotions hamper a person’s ability to ____________________. In extreme cases, a mood may cause individuals to lose touch w/ ________ or seriously threaten his/her ___________. Mood disorders include major depressive disorder, ________________, + seasonal affective disorder. People w/ these disorders often have more _____________ + if depressed, feel that their depression will go on forever + there is ______________________ about it. Psychological factors contributing to mood disorders including ____________ (ex. self-esteem), amount of social support, + the ability to deal w/ _______________. Biological factors include hormones, neurotransmitters, + __________.

40. Major depressive disorder A severe form of ____________ in which a person experiences feelings of __________ + diminished pleasure or interest in many activities. People w/ this disorder spend at least ____ ______ feeling depressed, anxious, fatigued, agitated, + experience a _____________ to function + interact w/ others. To be diagnosed as depression, these feelings can’t be attributed to ______________. This disorder is characterized by at least 4 of the following symptoms: problems w/ eating, _______, thinking, concentrating, or decision making; _________; thinking about ________; + feeling worthless or guilty.

41. Bipolar disorder Occurs when a person alternates b/w feelings of ____ (euphoria) + depression. They are either excessively + inappropriately _____________. During the manic phase, he/she experiences extreme elation, ________, distractibility, + racing thoughts. The person often has an exaggerated sense of ________ + engages in __________ behavior. He/she often needs less sleep + engages in activity. This state isn’t as easy to detect b/c the person seems to be in touch w/ reality + ____________. During the depressive phase, he/she is overcome by feelings of ________, sinfulness, worthlessness, + despair. The person is _________ + unresponsive like someone w/ major ________________.

42. Seasonal affective disorder People w/ this disorder struggle w/ annual depressions during ___________________ (usually _______, but can be at other times). They tend to sleep + eat __________ during their ________________. May be caused by _________ – exposure to less light during winter causes less of the hormone melatonin to be released. Many sufferers can be treated by sitting under bright ________________ during the evening or early morning hours.

44. Suicide + depression Not all people who commit suicide are _______ + not all people who are depressed try to _______ __________. But many people who are depressed have _________________. People may commit suicide to escape from physical or emotional pain, ______________ for wrongs they think they committed, or to ______ _________. Every year over ________ Americans commit suicide. More women ________ suicide, but more men ___________. Suicide is most common among the ______, but is the 2nd most common cause of death among _________________. People who threaten suicide or make unsuccessful attempts __________________! 70% of people who commit suicide threatened to do so w/in 3 months before doing so + an unsuccessful attempt is often a ___________. End Section 4

45. Personality disorders Are maladaptive or inflexible ways of dealing w/ _____ + one’s _____________. People w/ these disorders seem unable to establish __________________ w/ other people, to assume social responsibilities, or to adapt to their social environment. They adopt ____________ personality patterns (ex. Excessively shy or aggressive). People w/ a personality disorder don’t usually suffer from excessive anxiety nor behave in a ________________.

46. Antisocial personality Is characterized by irresponsibility, shallow emotions, + a _______________________. Formerly called _________________________. A person w/ an antisocial personality exhibits a persistent disregard for + violation of __________. They also: Treat people as __________. Live in the moment – constantly seeking thrills. Don’t seem to feel any ______. Are ____________ when caught. Many people w/ antisocial personalities get away w/ their behavior b/c they’re intelligent, entertaining, + able to ___________ they don’t feel. They win the affection + confidence from people they later _____ ___________ of. How do they become like this? Some think they imitate their _________ _________. Could be a lack of or __________________. Some think it’s due to a ________________ ________.

47. Drug addiction It’s covered in the DSM-V b/c many people hurt themselves physically, socially, + _____________ b/c they depend so heavily on drugs. Abuse of drugs involves psychological dependence (the use of a drug to such an extent that a person feels _____________ w/o it). When deprived of the drug, they become restless, ______, + uneasy. Addiction is a pattern of drug abuse characterized by an overwhelming + _______________ to obtain the drug. The drugged state becomes the body’s ____________. W/o it, the person is in extreme _________________. Tolerance is the physical adaptation to a drug so that a person needs ___________ to produce the original effect. Withdrawal refers to the symptoms that occur after a person _________________ of a drug to which he/she has become addicted. The symptoms vary by _________________ used.

48. Alcoholism America’s most ________________________. Factor in about ____% of deaths in car accidents. In about ___% of murders, the killer +/or victim had been drinking. Many think alcohol is a ________ b/c it slows down our inhibitions + in small amounts can make people feel relaxed + talkative. It’s really a ____________. After more drinks, a person’s ______________ + physiological functions begin to shut down. Perceptions + sensations become distorted + __________________. _____________ of alcohol can lead to unconsciousness, _______, or even death. Effects of alcohol depend on a person’s ____________, body chemistry, how much alcohol is __________ + how quickly, + his/her past experience w/ drinking. Can produce psychological ____________, tolerance, + withdrawal.

49. There are 3 stages of _____________: 1st – The individual discovers that alcohol tensions + makes him/her ________. 2nd – The individual begins to drink so heavily that the person feels he/she __________ how much alcohol he/she consumes. May begin to suffer from __________. 3rd – The individual drinks compulsively + ___________ when deprived of alcohol – he/she is now an _________. May develop from ________ + environmental factors. A person’s risk of becoming an alcoholic is _____________ if a member of his/her family is an alcoholic. The 1st step of treating alcoholism is to get help for the violent ____________________. Treatment varies from psychotherapy to ______. Antabuse can help - it makes the person _______ when he/she drinks alcoholic beverages. There is no certain ________. End Section 5

50. Psychotherapy Is _____________ used by therapists to help troubled individuals overcome their __________. It involves: _____________ b/w a therapist + clients. 2. The development of a supportive + trusting _____________. 3. An ________ by the therapist of the client’s problems – including _____________ for overcoming those problems. Ch 17 – Therapy and Change