Stress and Coping
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Transcript Stress and Coping
Stress and Coping
Stress and Coping
Stress is a subjective feeling in
response to environmental
events that are perceived as
frustrating or threatening.
Individuals adapt to stressful
situations by using coping
strategies and defense
mechanisms.
Emotions
Feelings that involve physical
and psychological changes
“Fight” or “Flight” – a physical
response to emotions related to a
challenge or threat
Prepares body for aggression (fight)
Prepares body to escape perceived
danger (flight)
Types of Emotions
Anxiety – vague unpleasant
feeling that produces physical
sensations
Results in tension and increased
heart rate
Often can not identify reason for
emotional distress
Types of Emotions
Fear
Results from
a specific,
identifiable
cause
The
physiologic
reactions
similar to
anxiety
Types of Emotions
Anger
Inborn,
instinctive
Emotional
reaction to loss
Types of Emotions
Aggression
Combination of
frustration,
hate, or rage
Perceptions of Control
“In Control” - perception that
one has choices and is able to
create a change in
psychological stare or current
life circumstances
Perceptions of Control
“Powerless” – perception that
one’s actions cannot affect
changes in outcome
Long-term feelings of
powerlessness lead to feelings of
physical and mental fatigue which
can ultimately lead to depression
Perceptions of Control
“Hopelessness” – perception
that one’s needs have no
potential to be met
Long-term feelings of
hopelessness often lead to
depression
Stress and Coping
Stress – the subjective feeling of
tension to perceived events
Coping – refers to how the mind
reacts to stress
Coping mechanisms vary from
person to person
Coping Mechanisms
Events that stress one person ,
might not stress others
Conscious behavior usually
based on success of previous
coping experiences