PERDEV - Stress

• Health

  A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
• Well-Being

  A subjective state that emerges from a general feeling of satisfaction w/ oneself
• Well-being

  Condition of good health, happiness, and prosperity
• Characteristics of people w/ good mental health

  (AMKACARSKS)

  1. At peace w/ themselves
  2. Manifest emotional control
  3. Cope adequately with life stressors
  4. Adjust to new/novel situations
  5. Know their strengths and weaknesses, aware of their limitations.
  6. Adequate feelings of security
  7. Realistic life goals
  8. Smooth interpersonal relationship
  9. Conform to social norms and standards
  10. Satisfy their needs adequately and appropriately
• Mental Health (World Health Organization)

  State of well-being in which every individual:

  • realizes their potential
  • cope w/ normal stresses
  • work productively and fruitfully
  • contribute to their community
• Man is a biopsychosocial being. Their behavior, whether normal or abnormal, has biological, psychological, and socio-cultural determinants. These 3 determinants interact with each other.
• Biological (Factors affecting mental health)

  1. Brain Dysfunction
  2. Neurotransmitter Imbalance
  3. High activity level in Amygdala
• Biological (Factors affecting mental health)

  2. Neurotransmitter Imbalance

  Low serotonin - Depression

  Low norepinephrine - Anxiety

  3. High activity level in Amygdala

  "Depression" and "PTSD"
• Frontal Lobe

  Judgment center/CEO of the brain. To contemplate and plan actions, evaluate consequences of behaviors, assess risk, think strategically. Fully mature at age 23-25.
• Amygdala

  Emotion center. Fully developed in adolescents. Thus, adolescents are more likely to make decisions based on emotional impact vs logic
• Hippocampus

  Memory center. Immature and susceptible to effects of alcohol and marijuana - hinder the ability to develop memories, impacting learning.
• Psychological (Factors affecting mental health)

  • Frustration
  • Conflict
  • Psychological Depravation
  • Stress
  • Coping Skills
• Socio-cultural (Factors affecting mental health)

  • War
  • Poverty
  • Unemployment
  • Residential mobility
  • Rural-urban setting
• Psychological (Factors affecting mental health)

  1.) Frustration

  • Unpleasant/disturbing feeling bcs of non-attainment of goals
  • May be personal or environmental
  • Degree varies w/ value attached to goal/object
• Psychological (Factors affecting mental health)

  2.) Conflict

  • Disturbing state, an individual is in a dilemma bcs two goals can't be satisfied simultaneously/at the same time
  • Fabricate anxiety. Thus, there is a need for its resolution
• Crisis

  change (synonym to crisis and conflict)

  a sense of disequilibrium
• Conflict

  Feeling experienced when one must choose between two or more incompatible possibilities/options
• Stressors: Conflict

  1. Approach-Approach Conflict
  2. Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict
  3. Approach-Avoidance Conflict
• Stressors: Conflict

  1.) Approach-Approach Conflict

  • Choose between two desirable goals
• Stressors: Conflict

  2.) Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

  • Choose between two undesirable goals
• Stressors: Conflict

  3.) Approach-Avoidance Conflict

  • Choose/not a goal that has both positive and negative aspects
• Types of Stress (ACDE)

  Acute Stress, Chronic Stress, Distress, Eustress
• Acute Stress

  Immediate, short-lived stress responses triggered by specific events or situations. Normal but w/o effective coping skills can lead to negative health effects.

  Examples: public speaking, taking exams, or sudden challenges at work or home.
• Chronic Stress

  Persistent, long-term stress from ongoing challenges, pressures, and adversities in life (heavy workload, financial issues, job dissatisfaction, relationship problems, or chronic health conditions)
• Eustress

  Helpful (stress) in promoting one’s growth and development by providing sufficient challenges that allow one to become more resourceful and show initiative in problem-solving
• Without some stress, life would be such a common zone and may lead to boredom.
• Eustress

  Stress associated with feelings of excitement, anticipation, and fulfillment. Examples: starting a new job, planning a wedding, and preparing for a competition. 
• Models of Stress

  1. Pebble Model of Stress
  2. Boulder Model of Stress
• Pebble Model of Stress

  Minor daily stresses usually encountered
• Boulder Model of Stress

  Creates a great impact on the person (death, natural calamities)
• Stress

  Natural and physiological response to the demands of our environment
• Fight-or-Flight Response

  Represents the choices we make when faced with danger in our environment.
• Fight-or-Flight Response

  Reaction that occurs in the presence of a situation that is terrifying, either mentally or physically
• Chronic stress affects the immune system. Activates HPA axis causing secretion of cortisol - a high level of stress hormone
• HPA Axis

  • activated due to psychological/physical stressor
• Encounter stressor/Chronic Stress = Activate HPA Axis

  1.) Hypothalamus - secretes corticotropin hormone (CRH) stimulating Pituitary Gland

  2.) Pituitary Gland - releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) directs Adrenal Glands

  3.) Adrenal Glands - secrete more hormones (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol)

  4.) Releasing sugar into blood, preparing body to respond to threat
• Sustained high level of cortisol = suppresses immune system, weakening body's resistance
• Highly stressed individual = susceptible to diseases and infections
• Cognitive Appraisal

  Subjective interpretation of how an emotional situation affects you

  What may be stressful to you may not be stressful to another
• Stress can be managed/controlled