1. Stress and Coping

2. Stress and Coping
Stress is a subjective feeling in response to environmental events that are perceived as frustrating or threatening. Individuals adapt to stressful situations by using coping strategies and defense mechanisms.

3. Emotions Feelings that involve physical and psychological changes
“Fight” or “Flight” – a physical response to emotions related to a challenge or threat
Prepares body for aggression (fight)
Prepares body to escape perceived danger (flight)

4. Types of Emotions
Anxiety – vague unpleasant feeling that produces physical sensations
Results in tension and increased heart rate
Often can not identify reason for emotional distress

5. Types of Emotions Fear Results from a specific, identifiable cause
The physiologic reactions similar to anxiety

6. Types of Emotions
Anger
Inborn, instinctive
Emotional reaction to loss

7. Types of Emotions
Aggression
Combination of frustration, hate, or rage

8. Perceptions of Control
“In Control” - perception that one has choices and is able to create a change in psychological stare or current life circumstances

9. Perceptions of Control
“Powerless” – perception that one’s actions cannot affect changes in outcome
Long-term feelings of powerlessness lead to feelings of physical and mental fatigue which can ultimately lead to depression

10. Perceptions of Control
“Hopelessness” – perception that one’s needs have no potential to be met
Long-term feelings of hopelessness often lead to depression

11. Stress and Coping
Stress – the subjective feeling of tension to perceived events
Coping – refers to how the mind reacts to stress
Coping mechanisms vary from person to person

12. Coping Mechanisms
Events that stress one person , might not stress others
Conscious behavior usually based on success of previous coping experiences