STRESS AND ADAPTATION

DEFINITIONS Stress

a condition in which the body responds to changes in it’s normal balanced state

Stressor Anything that a person perceives as

challenging, threatening, or demanding Adaptation

The change that takes place as the result of a persons response to stress.

BODY’S RESPONSE TO STRESS Fight or Flight Response Psychosomatic Disorders Local Adaptation Syndrome (LAS) Reflex Pain Response Inflammatory Response

GENERAL ADAPTATION RESPONSE

• Alarm Reaction – perceives stressor, defense mechanism activated (fight or flight)

• Shock phase – body changes occur• Countershock – body changes reverse

• Resistance – body attempts to adapt• Exhaustion – adaptive mechanism are

exhausted

PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES Mild anxiety Moderate anxiety Severe anxiety Panic

COPING MECHANISMS Behaviors

Crying laughing, sleeping, cursing Physical activity Smoking, drinking Withdrawal eye contact avoidance Limiting relationships

Task oriented behavior - taking steps to resolve stress Attack behavior Withdrawal behavior Compromise behavior

DEFENSE MECHANISMS Compensation emphasize more desirable trait Denial refuse to acknowledge disturbance Displacement transfers emotional reaction

from one object to another Introjection incorporated another persons

qualities or values into his own ego structure Projection attribute own thoughts or impulses

to another

MORE DEFENSE MECHANISMS Rationalization use of logic to justify action Reaction formation conscious actions and

attitudes that are opposite of what one really wants Regression return to an earlier way of behaving Repression involuntarily exclude anxiety

producing stimulus from awareness Sublimation substitute an acceptable method of

behavior for one that is not. Undoing act used to negate a previous act.

STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES Relaxation Meditation Anticipatory Guidance Guided Imagery Biofeedback

CRISIS INTERVENTION Identify the problem List alternatives Choose from among alternatives Implement the plan Evaluate the outcome

STRESS IN NURSING Burnout similar to the exhaustion phase

of anxiety Student Nurses

Nclex exam Life and school Finances

New Graduates New responsibilities

WAYS TO COPE FOR NURSES Become involved in constructive change Support each other; be a team player Take time to relax Eat Exercise regularly Learn something new Be assertive; Just say NO Develop and maintain support systems