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Stress and Adaptation
Stress and Adaptation
NURSING FOUNDATIONS II
~ STRESS AND ADAPTATION ~
OVERVIEW OF TERMINOLOGY
Stress – a state of disharmony, threat to homeostasis
o Physiological changes increase alertness, focus, and energy
o Perceived demands may exceed the perceived resources
Coping – ability to maintain control, think rationally, and problem solve
Resilience – resistant quality that permits a person to recover quickly and thrive in spite of adversity
WHAT IS STRESS?
Our mental, physical, emotional, and behavioral reactions to any perceived demands or threats
TYPES OF STRESS
Eustress – manageable stress, can lead to growth and enhanced competence
Distress – uncontrollable, prolonged, overwhelming stress that is destructive
Acute stress – immediate response to a threat or challenge
Chronic stress – ongoing exposure to stress, may seem unrelenting
CAUSES OF STRESS
External Internal
Family, work, economics, work, school, major life changes, unforeseen Worry, uncertainty, fear, attitudes, unrealistic expectations (Can be
events, etc. brought upon by the illness that the person has)
VULNERABILITY TO STRESS
Some people are more vulnerable to stress than others
RESISTANCE
Adaptation occurs
o Activation of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis continues
The stressor may be resolved
o The body returns to homeostasis
May progress to exhaustion
o Stress continues as resources are depleted
EXHAUSTION
Occurs when demands of stress exceeds ability to adapt
Functioning declines
May result in health problems
o Physical symptoms
o Mental symptoms
The Brain
Hippocampus (sounds the stress alarm)
Cerebellum (body movement coordination)
Pons (Sleep)
Medulla Oblongata (heartbeat and respiration)
FUNCTION
Normal homeostasis (body temp, etc.) is maintained w/in relatively narrow limits
By contrast, stress response maintains homeostasis over a far wider range of adaptive circumstances, and in responding to challenges
Allostasis
o Maintain stress and adaptive responses over long term, implies high levels of activation of the homeostatic processes
o Causes wear and tear, called “allostatic load”
NOTIONAL MODEL OF EMOTIONS THAT ARISE FROM THE BALANCE BETWEEN LEVEL OF CHALLENEGE AND A
PERSON’S COPING ABILITY