Stress and Coping

1. Stress and Coping أد محمد عادل تحت اشراف أد/هاله البرعي

2. Definition Stress as a stimulus event of sufficient severity to produce disequilibrium in the homeostatic physiological systems. Positive stresses called ‘Eustress’, like shifting to a new house, promotion in job. When stress has negative effect on the individual, it is distress, for example, failure in examination, chronic illness, break-up with loved ones. The stimulus that evokes a stress response is called a stressor. l.

3. Components of Stress Stress comprises of stressor, the sources causing the stress and stress response, which is how the individual copes with the stressful situation, his coping resources like person’s skills and social support systems noise, and interpersonal difficulties. The stressed person

5. The three-stage reaction to stress are consisting of alarm, resistance and exhaustion known as general adaption syndrome (GAS). The three stages are as following: a. Alarm reaction, subdivided in two phases, shock and counter-shock. Shock phase is initial and immediate response. Counter shock is how the body rebounds to mobilise its defenses. b. Stage of resistance: This is adaptation where you try to fight back. c. Stage of exhaustion: This is extreme fatigue one feels after fighting against stress.

6. Test Anxiety Test anxiety is stress-related factor commonly seen in students. Virtually all students experience some anxiety before a test. But students with excessive test anxiety feel ‘frozen up’ and panic before exams. Due to high level of anxiety their academic performance is also affected, even with hard work and high intelligence they are unable to get good results.

7. COPING WITH STRESS Coping strategies in managing stress require change in yourself, others and the environment. You may have to use one of these according to the problem or situation. Copingmeans the ways and means you adopt to keep stress at manageable levels. If you are getting stressed because of overwork, you will need to learn to relax, change your working style, bring about certain changes in yourself, so that you perceive the stressor as not so threatening, or find ways to convert it into a motivating or driving force.

8. Coping can be positive and negative. Some of the negative coping techniques are drinking alcohol, taking drugs, escaping from the stressful situation.Thereare certain ways to cope with the day-to-day stress in positive way. These are physical and mental exercises to reduce tension, diversion in various hobbies and activities to avoid negative thoughts, nutrition and healthy eating habits,.

9. Vulnerability Vulnerability refers to the emotional distress that is the most personal aspect of illness. It reflects impairment of competence, control and consciousness. Consequently, vulnerability not only signifies distress in the here-and-now, but a disposition to behave or conduct oneself at less than full efficiency. The ways in which the human being is vulnerable are both endless and unexpected. Manifestation of poor coping: While dealing with other people you would meet people who are not good in coping with the daily hassles or stresses. Here are some behavioural patterns that can be observed in these individuals. Vulnerability: Hopelessness -Patient believes that all is lost; effort is futile; there is no chance for recovery. Turmoil/perturbation: Patient is tense, agitated, restless, indicating inner distress. Frustration: Patient is angry about inability to resolve problems and get relief. Despondent/depressed: Patient is dejected, withdrawn, tearful, and often inaccessible to interaction. Helplessness/powerlessness: Patient feels unable to initiate positive action; complains of being too weak to struggle; surrenders and defaults decisions.

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