1. Adjusting to Life & Stress Management
AP Psychology
Ms. Nelson

2. Stress & Well Being The Stress Response: A mind body link
Physiological response
Stress & Illness
Cognitive Appraisal System
Perception of stressful stimuli
Perception of inability to cope or lack of control

4. Stress is…. Specific type of stimuli Physical OR psychological
Endangers our well being
Requires some adaptation
Differ in severity
Microstressors-daily trials
Major events-(positive or negative)

5. Measurement of Stress Physiological Self-report Combined approaches
Monitoring machinery
Biochemical testing
Self-report
Stress/life event scales
Self-perception of stress
Combined approaches
Interview schedules
Behavioral indicators

6. Cognitive Appraisal Primary Appraisal Secondary Appraisal
Nature and demands of the situation
Secondary Appraisal
Resources avaiable
Judgments of Consequences
Personal Meaning

7. Body’s Response to Stress, 1
Hypothalamus
Pituitary-adrenocorticotrophic hormone
Sympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system

8. Body’s Response to Stress, 2
Adrenal Gland
Adrenal cortex-release corticosteroids
Inhibits immune system, tissue inflammation, release energy from liver
Adrenal medulla-adrenaline & noradrenaline
Activates fight or flight (heart, breathing, blood pressure, muscular-tension)

9. General Adaptation Syndrome
Phase I
Alarm Reaction (stressful stimuli)
Phase II
Stage of Resistance (body works to maintain arousal systems)
Phase III
Stage of Exhaustion (body wears from physical and psychological effects)

10. Stress Related Illness
Reduced resistance to infection
Heart & circulatory disorders
Stress-induces behavior
Anger & frustration
Depression & helplessness
Anxiety

11. Factors That Influence Stress-Health Relations
Social Support
Physiological Reactivity
Autonomic & endocrine systems
Type A Personality
Mind as Healer or Slayer
Personal coping skills
Personal Resiliency
Self-efficacy

12. Fastors Related to the Stress Response
Biological
Hormones
Systems
Fights or flight
Immune
Endocrine
Genetics
Evolutionary
Psychological
Self-efficacy
Social support
Personality
Cognition
Skills/tools
Optimism
Environmental
#, intensity, duration of events
Culture
Family
People
Controllability of event

13. Rumination Mulling over worries
Biggest predictor of depression and anxiety (British study, 2013)
Awe (wonder or losing oneself in something bigger than self) is the opposite of rumination

14. Defense Mechanisms Common way to cope with unpleasant situations
Positive and negative side
Everyone participates

15. Types of Defense Mechanisms
Denial
Repression
Regression
Displacement
Projection
Reaction Formation
Intellectualization
Rationization
Sublimation

16. Coping Strategies Problem Focused Coping Planning
Active coping & problem solving
Suppressing competing
Exercising restraint
Assertive confrontation
Emotion Focused Coping
Positive reinterpretation
Acceptance
Denial
Repression
Escape avoidance
Wishful thinking
Controlling feelings
Seeking Social Support
Help & guidance
Emotional support
Affirmation of worth
Tangible aid or reward

17. Which strategy works best?
Depends on
The willingness to deal with problems
The willingness to adapt
Your personality, skills and values
Your social and family support
Your culture & beliefs
The impact of the strategy

18. Managing & Reducing Stress
Psychodynamic methods
Placebo effect
Therapy methods (finding new perspective & forming new habits)
Behavioral methods
Increasing behaviors that enhance health-excercise, sleep, nutrition
Reducing behaviors that impair health-alcohol, drugs, scheduling, etc.

19. Managing & Reducing Stress
Cognitive-Behavioural therapy
Cognitive restructuring
Self-instruction training
Self-help tools
Physiological methods
Somatic relaxation training
Meditation
Breathing excercises

20. Managing & Reducing Stress
Biological
Gate Control theory-opening/closing mechanisms of brain
Endorphins-internally produced morphine's
Stress-induced Analgesia-reduction or absence of pain during stress
Social methods
Cultural norms of expectations of behavior
Rituals

21. Resources Psychology, Oxford Revised Guides. 18.1-18.6 (pg 192-197)
It’s Not About You. Flora, Carlin. Psychology Today. April, 2016