STRESS & ADAPTATIONSTRESS & ADAPTATION

Concepts of Nursing NUR 123

Concepts Related to the Care of Individuals

StressStress: is a condition in which the human system responds to : is a condition in which the human system responds to changes in its normal balanced state. changes in its normal balanced state.

StressorStressor: is any thing that is perceived as challenging, : is any thing that is perceived as challenging, threatening or demanding. threatening or demanding.

AdaptationAdaptation: is the change that takes place as a result of the : is the change that takes place as a result of the response to a stressor. response to a stressor.

Sources of stressors:Sources of stressors: Internal stressors: e.g. illness, abnormal change, or fear Internal stressors: e.g. illness, abnormal change, or fear

External stressors: e.g. noise, cold environment, death, move External stressors: e.g. noise, cold environment, death, move

General Adaptation SyndromeGeneral Adaptation Syndrome

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) — General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) — biochemical model of stress (Hans Selye)biochemical model of stress (Hans Selye)

– Alarm reactionAlarm reaction

– ResistanceResistance

– ExhaustionExhaustion

Alarm ReactionAlarm Reaction Person perceives stressor, defense mechanisms Person perceives stressor, defense mechanisms

activatedactivated

Fight-or-flight responseFight-or-flight response

Hormone levels rise, body prepares to reactHormone levels rise, body prepares to react

Activates the sympathetic nervous system

Shock and counter-shock phases (1 min - 24 hrs)Shock and counter-shock phases (1 min - 24 hrs)

ResistanceResistance

Body attempts to adapt to stressor.Body attempts to adapt to stressor.

• Enhanced ability to fight stressor via moderate physiological arousal; ability to withstand additional stressors is reduced.

ExhaustionExhaustion

Results when adaptive mechanisms are Results when adaptive mechanisms are exhaustedexhausted

Body either rests and mobilizes it’s defenses to Body either rests and mobilizes it’s defenses to return to normal or diesreturn to normal or dies

• Depletion of resources brings on diseases and disorders (e.g., chronically high heart rate and blood pressure increase chances of heart attack and stroke).

Physiological responses to stress Physiological responses to stress

Increases heart rate Increases heart rate

Increases respiration Increases respiration

Increased blood pressure Increased blood pressure

Dilated pupils Dilated pupils

Muscle tension Muscle tension

Headache Headache

Emotional Responses to StressEmotional Responses to Stress

DepressionDepression

AngerAnger

Anxiety (most common)Anxiety (most common)– MildMild– ModerateModerate– SevereSevere– Panic Panic

Coping MechanismsCoping Mechanisms

Crying, laughing, sleeping, cursingCrying, laughing, sleeping, cursing

Physical activity, exercisePhysical activity, exercise

Smoking, drinkingSmoking, drinking

Lack of eye contact, withdrawalLack of eye contact, withdrawal

Factors Affecting Stress and Factors Affecting Stress and AdaptationAdaptation

Sources of stressSources of stress

Types of stressors experiencedTypes of stressors experienced

Personal factorsPersonal factors

Stress Management TechniquesStress Management Techniques

RelaxationRelaxation MeditationMeditation Crisis interventionCrisis intervention Breathing exerciseBreathing exercise ExerciseExercise MedicationMedication MusicMusic YogaYoga

Crisis InterventionCrisis Intervention Crisis: is a disturbance caused by a precipitating Crisis: is a disturbance caused by a precipitating

event such as a perceived loss, a threat of loss, or event such as a perceived loss, a threat of loss, or a challenge, that is perceived as a threat to self. a challenge, that is perceived as a threat to self.

Crisis InterventionCrisis Intervention– Identify the problemIdentify the problem– List alternativesList alternatives– Choose from alternativesChoose from alternatives– Implement the planImplement the plan– Evaluate the outcomeEvaluate the outcome