STRESS

Shahla Arshad
Lecturer K.M.U. Institute Of Nursing Sciences
 OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lecture the students will be able to:

 Define stress
 Discuss types and stages of stress
 Identify major sources of psychological stress
 Identify factors influencing stress intolerance
 Develop understanding about achieving self-control
through self-modification
 Stress Definitions
Stress:
a complex series of reactions, both
psychological and physical, in response
to demanding or threatening situations

Stressor:
events that produce physical and
psychological demands on a person
TYPES OF STRESS

There are two types of stress

• Eustress

• Distress
Eustress: is a positive stress in response to a
challenge , that can be associated with
adaptation and is necessary for growth and
development.

Distress: is a negative stress in response to a

challenge , that is potentially harmful and may
exhaust adaptive capacity.
 Stages of the Stress Response

Alarm:
when one feels threatened. Activation of the fight
or flight reaction
Resistance
Mobilization of resources to solve the problem.
Continued stress causes adaptation
Exhaustion
Adaptation fails and level of function decreases
Types of Stressors
Environmental
Heat, noise, crowding
Physiological
Drugs, caffeine, tobacco
Psychological
Pressures in life
Major Sources Of Psychological Stress.
 Cultural/ religious(lack of respect)
 Economic
 Housing
 Security
 Language /communication
 Expectation
 Immigration
 Social isolation
 Thinking too much
 Separation
 Hopelessness
 Relationships
Positive effects of stress

Moderate levels of stress makes you

Creative
Energized , motivated &focused
Good for immune system
Improve problem solving abilities
 Negative effects of stress

Headaches
Upset stomach
Elevated blood pressure
Problem in sleeping
Chest pain
Anxiety
Depression
 Factors Influencing Stress Intolerance.

Weak supportive network

Lack of sense of control

Inability to control emotion

Attitude

Lack of knowledge
 Sign And Symptoms
COGNITIVE SYMPTOM
Memory problems
Inability to concentrate
Poor judgment
Anxious or racing thoughts
Constant worrying

PHYSICAL SYMPTOM
Aches And Pains
Diarrhea Or Constipation
Nausea, Dizziness
Chest Pain, Rapid Heartbeat
Frequent Colds
 Sign And Symptoms
Emotional Symptoms
 Moodiness
 short temper
 Agitation, inability to relax
 Sense of loneliness and isolation
 Depression
Behavioral Symptoms
 Eating more or less
 Sleeping too much or too little
 Procrastination
 Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
 Types of Coping Strategies
Active Coping Strategies Passive Coping
– Accepting Strategies
– Praying – Ignoring
– Problem Solving – Escaping
– Controlling – Relaxing
– Seeking Social – Seeking Social
Support Support
 Achieving Self-control Through Self-modification
 Self-control strategies are cognitive and behavioral skills used by
individuals to maintain self-motivation and achieve personal goals.
 There are many varieties of self-control strategies. Other terms for
self-control strategies are behavioral self-control training,
cognitive self-regulation, and self-management techniques. In
recent years, the term "self-management" has replaced "self-
control,“
TYPES OF SELF-CONTROL STRATEGIES
 Environmental Strategies
 Behavioral Strategies
 Cognitive Strategies
 Types of Self-control Strategies
ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES.
Environmental strategies involve changing times, places, or
situations where one experiences problematic behavior.e.g
• Changing the group of people with whom one socializes
• Avoiding situations or settings where an undesirable
behavior is more likely to occur
• Changing the time of day for participating in a desirable
behavior to a time when one will be more productive or
successful
BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES.
Behavioral strategies involve changing the consequences
of a behavior. Examples include:
• Increasing social support by asking others to work towards
the same or a similar goal
• Placing reminders about one's goal in one's daily
environment
• Developing reinforcers (rewards) for engaging in desirable
behaviors or punishers for engaging in undesirable
behaviors
• Engaging in alternative, positive behaviors when one is
inclined to engage in an undesirable behavior
• Creating ways to make a desirable behavior more enjoyable
or convenient
• Scheduling a specific time to engage in a desirable behavior
• Writing a behavioral contract to hold oneself accountable
for carrying out the self-control program
COGNITIVE STRATEGIES.
Cognitive strategies involve changing one's thoughts or
beliefs about a particular behavior.e.g
• Using self-instructions to cue oneself about what to do and
how to do it
• Using self-praise to commend oneself for engaging in a
desirable behavior
• Thinking about the benefits of reaching one's goal
• Imagining oneself successfully achieving a goal or using
imagery to distract oneself from engaging in an undesirable
behavior
• Alternate positive self-statements for unproductive, negative
self-statements
• In a therapeutic setting, self-control strategies are usually
taught in weekly group sessions over a period of several
weeks. The sessions typically include an educational lecture
regarding a specific strategy, group discussion of how the
strategy should be applied and how to cope with potential
obstacles , role-plays or rehearsal of the strategy, a review
of the session, and a homework assignment for further
practice. Sessions usually focus on one type of strategy at a
time. Preferably, an individual should master one strategy
before attempting another. After the series of training
sessions are complete, the individual is responsible for
implementing the strategies in daily life.
Nursing In Pakistan
Nursing In Pakistan