Psychology Chapter on Stress and Coping

### Stress and Coping

• Stress is a person’s general response to demands.
• Stress can lead to personal growth (eustress) or illness (distress).
• Coping strategies include:
  • Problem-focused coping
  • Emotion-focused coping
• Subjective and objective data can be used to identify signs of stress in patients:
  • Eye contact
  • Energy level
  • Concentration
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Altered food intake
  • Observed emotions
  • Verbal statements
• The body’s stress response is called the fight-or-flight response, which is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.

The Sympathetic Nervous System

• The sympathetic nervous system prepares a person for action by increasing heart rate.
• Diverts blood from the intestines and skin.
• Increases blood to the brain and striated muscles.
• Increases blood pressure, respiratory rate, and blood sugar levels.

Neurological Responses to Stress

• The medulla oblongata controls heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
• The reticular formation continuously monitors the body’s physiological status through sensory and motor tracts.
• The pituitary gland produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which leads to the release of cortisol, resulting in raised blood sugar levels and inhibited inflammation.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

• The GAS is an immediate physiological response to stress that involves several body systems.
• It includes three stages:
  • Alarm reaction
  • Resistance stage
  • Exhaustion stage

The Alarm Reaction

• The alarm reaction causes an increase in:
  • Blood volume
  • Blood glucose levels
  • Epinephrine and norepinephrine levels
  • Heart rate
  • Blood flow to muscles
  • Oxygen intake
  • Mental alertness

The Resistance Stage

• The resistance stage stabilizes the body by returning hormone levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output to normal.
• The body begins to repair damage.
• Chronic activation of the stress response can lead to chronic illness.

The Exhaustion Stage

• The exhaustion stage occurs when the body is no longer able to resist the effects of the stressor.
• The body is drained of energy, leading to death.

Types of Stress

• Chronic stress can lead to chronic illness.
• Acute stress can result from time-limited events and lead to acute illness.

Factors Influencing Stress and Coping

• Situational factors arise from job changes or being a caregiver.
• Maturational or Developmental factors vary with life stages.
• Sociocultural factors include environmental, social, and cultural stressors.
• Physical factors include health status, lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise.

Cultural Considerations

• Culture influences what is stressful and how people cope with stress.
• Some cultures value controlling emotions, while others encourage expressing them.

Coping with Stress: Older Adults

• Older adults may experience stress due to:
  • Loss of mobility, independence, or a spouse/friends.
• Life experiences often lead to stress management techniques.

Nursing Actions to Help Patients Cope with Stress

• Safety: Nurse should stay with the patient experiencing severe anxiety.
• Nurse-patient relationship: Build a foundation of trust.
• Regular exercise
• Guided imagery and visualization
• Meditation and grounding techniques
• Healthy nutrition
• Journal writing
• Support system

Implementing Coping Strategies

• Guided imagery: Creating a relaxed state through imagination using sensory words.
• Environmental factors: Limiting noise, dimming lights, assigning the same nurses, and ensuring cleanliness.
• Communication: Explain procedures briefly using short, clear sentences to comfort the patient.

Work-Life Balance and Self-Care

• Maintain a balance between work and personal life to prevent stress.
• Practice self-care to prevent burnout.

Explore the intricacies of stress responses and coping mechanisms in this psychology quiz. Learn about the effects of stress on personal growth and illness, and identify signs of stress in patients. Delve into the role of the sympathetic nervous system and neurological responses to stress.