STRESS
DEFINITION
According to Hans selye “stress is the non-specific response of the body to any
demand for change”
Stress is an individual reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or
response, which can be physical, mental or emotional.
STRESSORS
Stressors are stimuli, events or conditions that cause an individual to
experience stress.
Stressors can be classified as:
1. Internal stressor: It orginates within the individual. E.g Need to be
perfect, negative self talk, rigid thinking etc.
2. External stressors: It originates outside the individual. E.g move to other
city, urgent deadlines, exam etc.
3. Development stressors: are predictable stressors that occurs within
each developmental stage throughout an individuals’s life. E.g; first day
at school, physical changes, choosing a career, getting married, rearing
children etc.
4. Situational stressors: Situational stressors are unpredictable and may
occur at any time during life.
STRESS CYCLE
Stressor Reaction to stress
Increased sensitivity to stress wear and tear on body and organ
System
Reduced optimum health
1. Stressors: Stressors include either positive or negative life events. E.g,
death, divorce, new job, marriage etc. It cause pressures, challenges or
demands in life.
2. Reaction to stress: once there is stressors, the person becomes stress
and the body will react to it by releasing chemicals to confront the
stressors.
3. Wear and tear on the body and organ system: when the stressors is not
corrected, the same stress reaction which helped in the beginning to
cope, begin to wear one self-down.
4. Reduced optimum health: when there is long period of chronic stress
the body wears down, which can invite diseases like high BP, heart
problems, diabetes, skin conditions, arthritis, asthma, depression and
even cancer.
5. Increased sensitivity to stress: Once body is worn down and exhausted,
sensitivity to stress increases.
EFFECTS OF STRESS
Stress have a physical, psychological, behavior, social and spiritual effects in
an individual.
1. Physical effects: Stress can threaten a person physiologic homeostasis.
Eg: high BP, Ulcers, heart disease, susceptibility to infection, headache,
etc.
2. psychological effects: Stress can produce negative or non-constructive
feelings about self. Eg: anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation,
irritability etc.
3. Behavior effects: stress can produce abnormal patterns of behavior. Eg;
overeating/undereating, drug abuse, angry outbursts etc.
4. Social effects: Stress can cause difficulty in maintaining relationship and
adjusting in social environment. Eg; awkwardness, nervousness, social
withdrawal, difficulty in communicating.
5. Spiritual effects: stress can leads to disconnecting oneself spiritually.
Eg; loss sense of purpose, lack of inner peace, lack of beliefs etc.
ADAPTATION AND COPING
COPING: To face and deal with responsibilities, problems, or difficulties, especially
successfully or in a calm or adequate manner.
ADAPTATION: Modification of individual and social activity in adjustment to cultural
surroundings
RESPONSE BASED MODEL( DR.HANS SELYE 1956) :
Stress is characterized by a chain of events known as General Adaptation syndrome(GAS)
Gastrointestinal tract-ulcers appear due to prolong stress. Adrenal glands enlarge etc.
and Local Adaptation syndrome(LAS) Example; inflammation, blood clotting etc
STAGES OF GAS AND LAS:
1.ALARM REACTION (Fight or flight)
The initial reaction of the body to stress alerts the body`s alarm reaction in which the
stressor may be perceived consciously or unconsciously by the person and body changes
occur.
2.STAGE OF RESISTANCE
The body attempts to cope with the stressor and limit it to the smallest part of the body
that can deal with it.
3.STAGE OF EXHAUSTION
Occurs when the adaptation that the body made during the second stage cannot be
maintained. Ways to cope with the stressor exhausted. If adaptation has not overcome the
stressor stress effects may spread to the entire body. At the end of this stage the body may
either rest and return to normal, or death may occur.
ADAPTIVE COPING STRATEGIES WITH STRESS
1. Reducing stressors: by planning change in life structure or develop new routine,
time management, environment modification, vacation.
2. Decreasing physiological response to stress: by using health promoting habits like
regular exercise, nutrition and diet, rest and sleep, relaxation techniques,
meditation, yoga, avoid self medication.
3. Improve behavior and emotional response to stress: by using support system like
talking to family, peers and closed ones for enhancement of self esteem.
4. Behavioural techniques: cognitive restructuring, anger management, bio feedback,
thought stopping techniques, active listening, goal setting, self esteem
enhancement.
5. Problem solving: problem solving model can be instituted as follows
Asses the facts of the situations
Formulate goals for resolution of stressful situations.
Study the alternatives for dealing with the situations.
Determine the risk and benefits of each alternatives.
Select an alternatives.
Evaluate the outcome of the alternatives implemented. If ineffective select and
implement second option.
