i can: describe the 4 stage process in which all humans react to stress explain each of the 3 stages...
TRANSCRIPT
I CAN:
• Describe the 4 stage process in which all humans react to stress
• Explain each of the 3 Stages of GAS
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
How and Why Do WeHow and Why Do WeExperience Stress?Experience Stress?
The human stress response to perceived threat activates
thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physiological arousal that normally promote adaptation
and survival
Stress and Stressors
• Stress • A physical and mental response to
a challenging or threatening
situation
Stressor A stressful stimulus
…. a condition demanding adaptation
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• Identified five stages that occur in the wake of natural disasters
1. Psychic numbness: Shock, confusion2. Automatic action: Little awareness/recall of the
experience3. Communal effort: People pool resources and
collaborate4. Letdown: Depletion of energy, feel abandoned5. Recovery: Survivors adapt to changes created by
the catastrophe
Cohen and Ahearn
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The Physical Stress Response• The physical response to nearly any stressor
follows the same sequence.1. Initial arousal2. Protective behavioral reaction, often fight-or-
flight (or freezing)3. Internal responses to the autonomic nervous
system and endocrine system4. Decrease in the effectiveness of the immune
system
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The Physical Stress Response
• Arousal: Increased physiological state
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The Physical Stress Response• Acute Stress
A temporary pattern of arousal caused by a stressor with a clear onset and limited duration
• Example: flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror• Chronic Stress A
continuous state of stressful arousal persisting over time
• Example: A bad marriage
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The Physical Stress Response• Fight-or-Flight Response A sequence of
internal processes that prepares the organism for struggle or escape
• Withdrawal: If fight or flight is not possible, or stressor is too much to handle, the organism may ‘freeze’
• Ex: Deer in the headlights
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The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
• A pattern of responses to any serious chronic stressor
• Prolonged stressor response can contribute to heart disease, ulcers, arthritic, asthma,
even death
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General Adaptation SyndromeGeneral Adaptation Syndrome
G. A. S.3 Stages1. Alarm
2. Resistance3. Exhaustion
Healthy Adaptation or Illness
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Stage One - Alarm Reaction • 1. Body mobilizes its resources to cope with a
stressor• 2. Hypothalamus sets off a response through
the endocrine system• 3. Adrenal hormones are released• 4. The sympathetic nervous system is activated
IF STRESSOR IS NOT REMOVED
IN TIME, THE ORGANISM
MOVES TO NEXT STAGE
Sympathetic --Mobilize energy from stores, inhibit further storage
Inhibit digestion, growth, reproduction, immunity
--Increase HR, BP, breathing--Fight or flight response--Analgesia--Aspects of senses and memory improve
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Stag Two - Stage of Resistance• Arousal (Alarm reaction) subsides• The parasympathetic system activates adrenal output slows
• If a second stressor is introduced, the organism may not be able to adapt
IF STRESSOR IS NOT REMOVED IN TIME, THE ORGANISM MOVES TO NEXT STAGE
ResistanceBody tries to adapt to stressorHormonal changes to cope with stressConservation of resourcesEffects on activity level, feeding etc..
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Stage Three - Stage of Exhaustion• Organism tires fighting stressor• Symptoms of Alarm Stage (Stage One)
reappear• Parasympathetic system overcompensates in
an attempt to stop surging hormones
IF STRESSOR DOES NOT DISAPPEAR IN TIMEDEATH OCCURS
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Resistance
Resistance– the body
seems to adapt to the presence of the stressor
Alarm Reaction
Alarm reaction – the body
mobilizes it’s resources to cope with a
stressor
The General Adaptation Syndrome
Exhaustion
Illness/death
Exhaustion– the body
depletes it’s resources
Level ofnormal resistance
Successful Resistance
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Stress and the Immune System• The human immune system response,
which evolved to respond to short-term stressors, may react to chronic stressors by breaking down and turning on itself
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Personality Types and Stress
• Type A –• behavior pattern characterized by intense,
angry, competitive, or perfectionist responses to challenging situations
• Type B –• behavior pattern characterized
by a relaxed, unstressedapproach to life
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Resilience • Capacity to adapt, achieve well-being, and
cope with stress, in spite of serious threats to development