Notes on psychology

1. STRESS
Presentedby: adithyan VK

2. Meaning
➔ The word stress is derived from a Latin word
“stringere” which means ‘to draw tight’.
➔ Stress is a universal phenomenon.
➔ The term stress is used loosely today and still
lacks a proper explanation.
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3. Definition
Stress is the non-specific response of the body to any
demand made on it.
-Hans Selye
Stress is an internal state which can be caused by physical
demands on the body or by environmental and social
situations which are evaluated as potentially harmful,
uncontrollable or exceeding our resources for coping.
- Morgan
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4. Types Of Stress
➔ Distress/Bad Stress/Negative Stress
⇾ Stress due to an excess of adaptive demands placed upon us.
⇾ Ex; Unexpected death of a loved person. Chronic or long term
illness etc.
➔ Eustress
⇾ The optimal amount of stress, which helps to promote health and
growth. Ex; praise from a teacher for a well-written assignment,
Eustress is pleasant and desirable.
➔ Neutral stress
⇾ Here, the subject neither feels good nor bad about the stress.
Equilibrium or homeostasis is maintained
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5. Causes Of Stress
➔ Biological Factors: Include genetic background, nutritional status,
biological sensitivities, general health, and exposure to toxins
➔ Psychological Factors: Include intelligence; verbal skills, morale,
personality, past experiences, self-concept, motivation,
psychological defenses and locus of control or a sense of control
over one’s own fate.
➔ Socio cultural Factors: Include age, gender education, income,
occupation, social position, cultural background, religious
upbringing and beliefs, political affiliation, socialization
experiences and level of integration or relatedness.
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6. Stressor
Stressors are the events with the
capacity to cause stress that include
major personal and psychological
events.
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7. Types Of Stressors
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Stressor Examples
1 Physiological stressor Infectious process, trauma, diseases, radiation etc.
2 Environmental stressor Pollutants, sensory overload, noise, bad odor etc.
3 Sociocultural stressors Financial status, vocational pressures, family
dysfunction, poverty unemployment etc.
4 Chronic Permanent functional disability, chronic illnesses
etc.
5 Major complex stressors Involving larger group like natural calamities, war,
terrorism

8. Stages Of Stress
➔ Hans Selye developed a framework (General
Adaptation Syndrome, GAS) to describe how
people respond to stress.
➔ He said that the entire body responds to stress in
an attempt to maintain or adapt to the
circumstances of the event creating stress.
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9. Alarm Reaction Stage
➔ During this stage, the physiological responses of the
“fight or flight syndrome” are initiated.
➔ Here the organism becomes mobilized to meet the threat.
It activates the neuroendocrine response.
➔ The sensory nerves receive an external stimulus and relay
it to the brain. The brain in turn identifies the stimulus
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10. Stage of Resistance (adaptation)
➔ The individual uses the physiological responses of
the first stage as a defense in the attempt to adapt
to the stressor.
➔ If adaptation occurs, the third stage is prevented
or delayed. Physiological symptoms may
disappear.
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11. Stage of Exhaustion
➔ This stage occurs when there is a prolonged exposure to
the stressor to which the body has become adjusted.
➔ The adaptive energy is depleted, and the individual can
no longer draw from the resources for adaptation
described in the first two stages.
➔ Diseases of adaptation (e.g., headaches, mental disorders,
coronary artery disease, ulcers, colitis) may occur.
➔ Without intervention for reversal, exhaustion ensues, and
in some cases even death
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12. Symptoms/Effects of Stress
➔ Stress manifests itself in a wide variety of symptoms and
effects. The reactions to stress can be classified into the
following categories;
● Physiological
● Affective
● Cognitive and Behavioral
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13. Physiological Reactions
➔ Rapid increase in pulse rate
➔ Muscles becoming tense
➔ Dryness of the throat or mouth
➔ Feeling sick in the stomach,
➔ Trembling etc.
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14. Affective Reactions
➔ Increased anxiety, restlessness
➔ Pessimism and Depression
➔ Anger and Irritability
➔ Lack of interest in usual activities
➔ Poor control over the emotions
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15. Cognitive Reactions
➔ Poor attention and concentration
➔ Inability to learn new things
➔ Forgetfulness
➔ Improper judgment
➔ Confusion
➔ Unhealthy thoughts
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16. Stress Management
➔ Awareness
➔ Cognitive therapy
➔ Conflict resolution
➔ Physical exercise
➔ Hobbies
➔ Meditation
➔ Pets
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➔ Music
➔ Deep breathing
➔ Relaxation technique
➔ Progressive muscle
relaxation
➔ Alternative medicine
➔ Diversional therapy

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