1. Castaway

2. What is stress?
The process by which we perceive and respond to events, called stressors, that we interpret as either threatening or challenging.

3. Kinds of Stressors Daily stress- Everyday hassles
Significant changes- Death of a loved one, moving, etc.
Catastrophes- Terrorist attacks, earthquakes, other unpredictable life threatening events.

4. How do we respond to stressful situations?
How we view the stressful event determines our response.
If we view it as a threat we will panic or freeze up.
But if we view it as a challenge, then we become mentally aroused and have focused attention that can help us overcome it.

5. What is the “General Adaptation Syndrome?” (GAS)
A predictable, recurring, response to all stressors that kicks in whenever a stressful event occurs.
It consists of three phases:
Alarm reaction
Resistance
Exhaustion

6. Phase I – Alarm Reaction
Your body mobilizes itself to meet the challenge.
Stress hormones release into the nervous system and cause the following:
Increased heart rate
Dulled sensation to pain
Preparation to take on the challenge or flee from it (fight or flight).

7. Phase II – Resistance
Outpouring of stress-related hormones keeps your respiration, temperature, and blood pressure high.

8. Phase III - Exhaustion
After extended exposure to the traumatic event, your body’s reserves become depleted and exhaustion sets in.
You become susceptible to illness, and under extremes circumstances, even death.
Our body’s are built to handle temporary stress but prolonged stress produces physical deterioration.

9. PTSD Post traumatic stress disorder
A severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to an event that results in psychological trauma
May involve death or the threat of it to ones self or someone close to the person

10. Can be caused by natural disasters, accidents, military combat, or physical or sexual abuse.
Person’s ability to cope becomes overwhelmed
Person with PTSD re-experiences the original trauma through flashbacks or nightmares.
Person will often avoid stimuli associated with the trauma which may trigger an episode (i.e. fireworks that sound like gunshots).