Stress adaptation model

Stress adaptation model

Definition

Stress- It is the non specific response of the body to any kind of demand made up on it.(Selye-1956)

Stressor- Any person or situation that produces anxiety responses

Coping resources

It is the social and emotional support available to the person which will help him to cope effectively with stress.

Coping mechanisms

Ways in which a person attempts to manage stressful demands.

Types of stressors

•         Environmental- Noise, pollution, traffic, crowding and any weather change.

•         Physiologic- Illness, Injuries, hormonal changes, disturbed sleep, imabalanced nutrition.

•         Social – Financial problems, increased work load, social events, loss of loved one.

•         Thoughts- Negative self talk, perfectionism, comparison with others, low self esteem, hopeless and worthless thoughts.

Categories of coping strategies

•         Adaptive - Solves the problem that is causing the anxiety, so the anxiety is decreased.

•         Palliative- Temporarily decreases the anxiety but does not solve the problem, so the anxiety eventually returns. 

•         Maladaptive- Unsuccessful attempts to decrease the anxiety without attempting to solve the problem.

•         Dysfunctional- It is not successful in reducing anxiety or solving the problem at hand. Even minimal functioning becomes difficult and new problems develop as a result.

Common adaptive coping techniques

•      Problem solving-Solving the problem which is causing stress.

•      Assertiveness- Being assertive in reacting to the stress by expressing one’s own emotion is a socially acceptable way rather than suppressing.

•      Self acceptance- Accepts one’s own weaknesses and strengths and tries to overcome that.

•      Time management- Managing one’s time and plans effectively to resolve the issues relating to stress.

•      Conflict resolution- Resolves the conflict which creates anxiety.

Maladaptive coping strategies

•      Giving up- No efforts are made to resolve the stress provoking situation.

•      Regression- Regression is the reversion to an earlier stage of development at the time of stress.

•      Repression- Repression is the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, feelings and impulses which are related to stress

•      Denial- Denial is the refusal to accept reality or fact, acting as if a painful event, thought or feeling did not exist. 

•      Self blame- Blaming self for the situation which creates stress.

Hans Selye’s stress adaptation model

Hans Selye is the first person to give a scientific explanation for biological stress. He explained his stress model based on physiology and psychobiology as General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).This model states that an event that threatens an organism’s well-being (a stressor) leads to a three-stage bodily response:

• Alarm reaction
• Resistance reaction
• Exhaustion stage

Alarm reaction

While encountering a stressor, body reacts with “fight-or-flight” response and sympathetic nervous system is activated. Hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin will be released into the bloodstream to meet the threat or danger. The body’s resources will be mobilized.

Stressor--->Hypothalamus--->Sympathetic system--->Catecholamine---->Alarm reaction

Alarm reaction responses

•      Increased heart rate and cardiac muscle contraction

•      Blood supply to skin and viscera decreases

•      Increased RBC production

•      Increased glucose release

•      Increased respiratory rate

•      Production of saliva reduces

Resistance reaction

Parasympathetic nervous system returns many physiological functions to normal levels while body focuses resources against the stressor. Blood glucose levels remain high, cortisol and adrenalin continue to circulate at elevated levels, but outward appearance of organism seems normal. Body remains alert.

Stressor --->Hypothalamus--->CRH,GHRH, TRH--->ANTERIOR PITUITARY--->ACTH, HGH, TSH

 

Resistance responses

•      Increased heart rate and cardiac muscle contraction

•      Blood supply to skin and viscera decreases

•      Increased RBC production

•      Increased glucose release

•      Increased respiratory rate

•      Production of saliva reduces

Exhaustion stage

If stressor continues beyond body’s capacity, organism exhausts resources and becomes susceptible to disease and death.

Responses

•      Cell death

•      Organs weaken

•      Poor general health.

Stress Management strategies

• Get More Physical Exercise
• Practice Relaxation 
• Develop Good Sleeping and Eating Habits 
• Reduce Your Use of Alcohol, Nicotine, and Caffeine  
• Create a Support System 
• Laugh
• Think positively
• Be aware about ones strength and weaknesses
• Time management.