STRESS & ADAPTATION

 Stress: is a condition in which the human system responds to changes in its normal balanced state.  Stressor: is any thing that is perceived as challenging, threatening or demanding.  Adaptation: is the change that takes place as a result of the response to a stressor.  Homeostasis: various physiologic mechanisms within the body respond to internal changes to maintain a relative constancy in the internal environment.

Sources of stressors  Internal e.g. illness, abnormal change, or fear  External e.g. noise, cold environment, death, move

Physiologic Homeostasis  Local Adaptation System (LAS) — involves only one specific body part –Reflex pain response –Inflammatory response  General Adaptation Syndrome — biochemical model of stress (Hans Selye) –Alarm reaction –Resistance –Exhaustion

Alarm Reaction  Person perceives stressor, defense mechanisms activated  Fight-or-flight response  Hormone levels rise, body prepares to react  Shock and counter-shock phases (1 min - 24 hrs)

Resistance  Body attempts to adapt to stressor.  Vital signs, hormone levels, and energy production return to normal.  Body regains homeostasis or adaptive mechanisms fail.

Exhaustion  Results when adaptive mechanisms are exhausted  Body either rests and mobilizes it’s defenses to return to normal or dies

Physiological responses to stress  Increases heart rate  Increases respiration  Increased blood pressure  Dilated pupils  Muscle tension  Headache

Emotional Responses to Stress  Depression  Anger  Anxiety (most common) –Mild –Moderate –Severe –Panic

Coping Mechanisms  Crying, laughing, sleeping, cursing  Physical activity, exercise  Smoking, drinking  Lack of eye contact, withdrawal  Limiting relationships to those with similar values and interests

Factors Affecting Stress and Adaptation  Sources of stress  Types of stressors experienced  Personal factors

Categories of Stress  Developmental stress –Occurs when person progresses through stages of growth and development –E.g.  Situational stress –Does not occur in predictable patterns –E.g.

Types of Stressors  Physiological –Chemical agents, physical agents, infectious agents, nutritional imbalances, hypoxia, genetic or immune disorders  Psychosocial –Includes real and perceived threats

Stress Management Techniques  Relaxation  Meditation  Anticipatory guidance  Guided imagery  Biofeedback  Crisis intervention

Crisis Intervention  Crisis: is a disturbance caused by a precipitating event such as a perceived loss, a threat of loss, or a challenge, that is perceived as a threat to self.  Crisis Intervention –Identify the problem –List alternatives –Choose from alternatives –Implement the plan –Evaluate the outcome