Unit 13 Stress and Therapy Class Presentations Stress

Unit 13 Stress and Therapy Class Presentations

Stress Definition- A person’s reaction to his or her inability to cope with a certain tense event or situation. Example- If you have a lot of homework or projects and feel overwhelmed you are feeling stress.

Distress Definition- Stress that stems from acute anxiety or pressure. Example- If a person is driving slow in front of you and you’re in a hurry to get somewhere that would be distress.

Eustress Definition- Positive stress, which results from motivating strivings and challenges. Example- knowing you have a project due and being stressed that you haven't done it and then that stress motivates you to get it done.

Unit 13 Stress and Therapy Conflicting situations By: Madison Edwards and Ariana Watkins

Approach-Approach • Approach-Approach conflict is when an individual must choose between two attractive alternatives. • Approach-Approach Conflict is a psychological conflict that results when a choice must be made between two desirable alternatives. Merriam Webster • Example: Do I want to tryout for basketball or history academic team.

Avoidance-Avoidance • • • Avoidance-Avoidance conflict occurs when an individual confronts two unattractive alternatives. Avoidance-Avoidance conflict is a psychological conflict that results when a choice must be made between two undesirable alternatives Medline Plus Example: Should I get a job at Mc. Donalds or Burger King.

Approach-Avoidance Definition: A type of conflict situation in which the individual wants to do something but fears or dislikes it at the same time. (P. 415) Examples: You are invited to a party but your stomach is pain. You really like parties but you are afraid your pain my get worse later on that night.

Double Approach-Avoidance • Definition: Choose between two or more alternatives, each of which has attractive and unattractive aspects. (P. 415) • Examples: If a woman wants to work late but also wants to meet her friend for dinner. If she works late she will finish her project but might have to walk home late in the night. Same as the other way around.

Bethany Cole Grayson Harper n Primary Appraisal Refers to our immediate evaluation of a situation. § Can we meet the expectations of this situation? Can we handle the challenges of this situation? § 3 ways to appraise a situation- irrelevant, positive, and negative. • Ex: Teacher gives a pop quiz, you can evaluate it as good and think you can pass, but you can also evaluate it as negative because you haven’t looked at your notes.

Secondary Appraisal n Deciding how to deal with a stressful situation. § An individual evaluates the situation and decides on a way to cope. • Ex: You evaluate the situation as positive because you have looked at your notes, so now you decide to just try your best on the quiz.

Hassles n Common stressors that are relatively minor and occur on a daily basis. • Ex: Being late for class because people were standing around in the hallway so you couldn’t get past.

Uplifts n Small positive event that can protect against stress. § Psychologist claim that uplifts have the opposite effect of hassles. They reduce stress and protect a person’s health.

General Adaptation Syndrome Rachel Yarbrough and Victoria Lartey

What is General Adaptation Syndrome? General adaptation syndrome is a term used to describe the body's short-term and long-term reactions to stress.

Three stages of stress: l. Alarm l. Resistance l. Exhaustion

Alarm: The alarm stage of general adaptation syndrome prepares the for fight or flight. This causes increase in: l heart rate l breathing quickly l muscle tension l pupil dilation Person becomes very alert and sensitive to stimuli.

Example of Alarm: A hiker who confronts a rattlesnake on a mountain trail freezes in his tracks, is suddenly aware of every sound around him, and tries not to panic.

Resistance: In the resistance stage of general adaption syndrome a person finds means to cope with the stressor.

Example of Resistance: The mountain hiker caught in a bad storm can use his knowledge of the mountains to shelter himself from the storm to keep himself safe.

Exhaustion: If exposure to the stressor continues the individual reaches the stage of exhaustion. The adrenalin of the fight or flight instinct have reached their limit and can no longer function.

Example of Exhaustion: Man does hard labor all day in the factory where he works. He gets over heated and becomes delusional.

Psychology physical reactions to stress By: Caroline Clark and Hannah Hopper

Physical Reactions to Stress • The body is able to make many different physical reactions to stress. These happen because many times the immune system is weakened and makes it easier for the spread of infection or disease. • Example: If it is almost exam week and a person develops a cold, that cold can be attributed to all the stress of preparing for the exams. Their body is most likely struggling to keep up their immune system.

What can cause physical reactions to stress? • Feelings and emotions are two of the main things that contribute to changes in your physiological body. • Psychosomatic symptoms are very commonly seen and occur because of stress. • Several psychosomatic symptoms may include: headaches, stomachaches, muscle pains, or rapid heart beat

Symptoms of Emotional Stress • • • Difficulty breathing Insomnia Sweating Dryness of mouth Migraines Arthritis Asthma Heart disease Stressful situations have the ability to lower a persons immune system, making them prone to sickness • Immune system: the bodies natural defense against infection

The Immune System Pathogens attack the body’s cells. The pathogens begin to grow and multiply causing a weaker immune system >>

How to Handle Stress: • • • Avoid caffeine Practice deep breathing Exercise Eat healthy foods Don’t panic about your loss of sleep (it will only make it worse)

Sources http: //www. uhs. berkeley. edu/facstaff/pdf/care/Managing%20 Physical%20 Reacti ons%20 of%20 Stress. pdf • Understanding Psychology text book

Emotional Reactions:

§ Is the most common physical reaction to a sudden stressor. A child participating in a talent show may be anxious when they are called to the stage to perform.

§ Anger occurs often due to repeated frustration. An adult running late for work may become angry when the driver in front of them is going 5 mph below the speed limit.

A women who is home alone may be frightened to hear noise from her bathroom. § Fear is usually the result of a stimulus presenting real or imagined danger.

Cognitive Reactions To Stress: § Usually difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly, and poor decision making. § Ex. Being so nervous and stressed about a test that you cant even settle down and study for it. § Or being so excited to tell someone something that you cant find your phone, or think of their number.

So… § Emotional reactions to stress is how you feel when stressed and how your emotions react. § Cognitive reactions to stress is how your brain or you thinking react to good or bad stress.

• Many short-term behavioral changes that results from stress • Develop nervous habits such as trembling, pacing, or smoking • Shaky voice, tremors, strained expressions, or changing in posture

• May loose interest in eating, grooming, or bathing • Some might tend to over eat • Some people show aggressions by beating on family members

• In dangerous situations people will risk their own life for others • Attitudes of cooperation that override individual differences and disagreements

• Best way to deal with frustration • If a woman is on a bus that is stuck in traffic she might get off and walk to her destination • Listen to music • Do your favorite activity

• • • Can lead too… Alcoholism Drug Addiction Chronic unemployment Attempted suicide

• You appraise situation as physically threatening • Your thoughts activate the hypothalamus • The sympathetic nervous system stimulates a variety of physical responses to prepare the body for the stressful situation

• • • Heart rate increases Blood pressure increases Digestive system shuts down Pupils dilate Hair stands up on end Muscles tense

By: De. Vonda Holmes December 5, 2012 Mrs. Dorman 2 nd period

Ø Very likely to have coronary artery disease, often followed by heart attacks. Ø Often affects people in their 30 s or 40 s.

Ø Always prepared for fight or flight Ø Free-floating hostility Ø Extremely irritable Ø Impatient Ø Extremely competitive Ø Self-critical

Ø Usually strive towards goals without feeling or sense of pride. Ø Overreact everything. Ø Tend to have high blood pressure Ø Constant sense of urgency Ø multi-task Ø Hard workers

NOTE: Ø Psychologists disagree about the definition of Type A personality and its relation to heart disease.

Ø People who do not have Type A pattern Ø Almost never have heart attacks before the age of 70.

Ø Relaxed Ø Patient Ø Do not easily become angry Ø Creative Ø Imaginative Ø Philosophical

Cited Sources • • http: //3. bp. blogspot. com/_YGm 0 POOKmg. M/TRCAI 1 g 1 Xe. I/AAAAATg/c. Rzk. P 5 np. MZU/s 1600/T 2. gif http: //www. simplypsychology. org/personality-a. html http: //www. buzzle. com/articles/type-a-personality-description. html http: //www. psych. uncc. edu/pagoolka/typea-b-intro. html

Psychological coping strategies Dakwan Hughes

Definition u. The behavioral and cognitive efforts made be individuals in attempting to deal with stressful situations.

Summary: u u u Life is stress; stress is life. People respond to stress in different ways. Know yourself and your signs of over-stress. Learning and practicing healthy coping skills will help avoid/manage “stress emergencies”.

Types of coping Positive appraisal: reframing a situation to see it in a positive light u Problem-focused or approach coping: when efforts are directed at solving or managing the problem that is causing distress. u Emotion-focused or avoidant coping: coping that is directed at managing or reducing emotional distress. u Meaning-focused coping: involves searching for meaning in adversity and drawing on values, beliefs, and goals to modify the meaning given to and personal response to a stressful situation u

Active coping strategies Anthony Jessen & Brandis Price

Hardiness

n Def: the personality traits of control, commitment, and challenge that help us reduce the stress we feel. n Control: feeling that we have the ability to affect the outcome of the situation. Commitment: establishing and pursuing our goals Challenge: we actively confront and solve problems instead of feeling threatened and powerless because of them n n n Ex: W 61 hen confronted with the assignment of giving a speech in public, you approach the assignment as a positive experience (challenge), believe that you can prepare and give a good speech (control), and prepare for and practice your speech (commitment).

Controlling Stressful Situations

There are several ways which we can control exposure to stressful events and reduce stress levels. n Escape or withdrawal, when possible , can be an effective coping strategy. When avoiding an event is not practical, control its timing n Having a study schedule to prepare for exams Exiting an uncomfortable event Hanging out with people who have the same interests as you instead of trying to “fit-in” n n

Problem Solving

n Sometimes neither avoiding or spacing events is possible. n Problem solving involves a rational analysis of the situation that will lead to an appropriate decision (negative setback into positive challenge) A senior has an exam on the same day as his college application is due, the student may plan out the remaining days and complete the application while studying for his exam. When you have a family issue, instead of ignoring it you may go step-bystep to solve it so both of you are happy. n n

Explanatory Style

n Martin Seligman (1991) describes two different styles of thinking. n Optimist sees the positive side of things. Pessimist always sees the negative side. Studies have shown that pessimists usually die younger than optimists After a hard loss, the optimist will say, “what happened, happened” and look forward to the next week. The pessimist will keep dwelling on the loss. n n n

Relaxation

n Many techniques of relaxation have been developed especially to cope with stress. n Progressive relaxation: lying down comfortably and tensing then releasing the tension in each major muscle group in turn Meditation: a focusing of attention with the goal of clearing one’s mind and producing an “inner peace”. Both were developed by Dr. Edmond Jacobson. n n

n Many techniques of relaxation have been developed especially to cope with stress. n Progressive relaxation: lying down comfortably and tensing then releasing the tension in each major muscle group in turn Meditation: a focusing of attention with the goal of clearing one’s mind and producing an “inner peace”. Both were developed by Dr. Edmond Jacobson. n n

Biofeedback

n Biofeedback: a technique for bringing specific body processes, such as blood pressure and muscle tension, under a person’s conscious control. n While hooked up to an electronic device measurements are taken of specific processes he or she wants to regulate which are then played back in the form of sound or visual patterns. If you want to regulate your blood pressure you would need to concentrate on what relaxes your body and lowers blood pressure. The visual patterns are what allow you to know that its working. n

Humor

n Laughing actually releases the tension of pentup feeling and can help you keep a proper perspective of the situation. n It is common for people to result to laughing in very stressful situations. A person may break out in hysterical laughter during the trying times following the death of a loved one. This laughter help to deal with the intense emotional pain of a loss. n

Exercise

n Physical exercise is another constructive way to reduce stress. n Exercise provides an outlet for physical arousal, and it may burn off stress hormones. Running and swimming are the best ways to both lower stress levels and improve cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. n

Support groups and professional help

Groups that operate beyond ordinary personal networks can help people with specific stressrelated problems. Examples: n n n Alcoholics Anonymous Weight Watchers Crisis prevention centers

Training

New, unfamiliar, or dangerous situations can be stressful because we are unsure we can deal with it. n Training to prepare for such a situation can ease the stress. Exposure to moderate stressors in a relatively safe but challenging environment allows a person to gain experience and confidence in coping. Example: A person who I nervous about going to a friend’s country club because she does not want to play tennis might take a few tennis lessons.

Improving Interpersonal Skills

n n Developing skills in dealing with others is one of the best ways to manage stress. Advantages: Increased self-confidence and self-esteem Less chance of loneliness or interpersonal conflict Development of social support system

Who Are Therapists? Diorah Raimundi 2 nd Period

Kinds of Therapists • Therapist: A person trained in methods of treatment (bodily, mental, behavioral) • Psychologists: Treatment of psychological disorders in hospitals • Psychiatrists: treatment of abnormal behavior, prescribes medicine • Counselors: Gives advice

What Makes A Good Therapist? • One that’s psychologically healthy – One that’s anxious, defensive or withdrawn wont see the patients problems clearly • One that shows empathy – Needs to be able to give the patient confidence that he’s caring and understanding – Empathy: capacity for warmth and understanding • One that’s experienced in dealing with people and their complexities

Group Therapies • Group Therapy: patients work together with the aid of a leader to resolve interpersonal problems • Gives patients a chance to see how others are also struggling with similar problems • Helps a large number of people at a low cost • Therapist makes suggestions, clarifies points and keeps activities under control

Family Therapy • Family Therapy: focuses on interactions between family members – Untangles a twisted web of relationships that led to emotional suffering • Therapist points out what’s happening from an objective viewpoint and suggests ways of improving communication and fairness

Self-Help groups • Self-Help Groups: voluntary groups of people who share a problem and are often without the involvement of a professional • Come together to discuss difficulties and provides each other with support and possible solutions • Alcoholism, overeating, drug addiction, child abuse, ect. • AA

Psychoanalysis By Victoria Lartey and Rachel Yarbrough

What is it? l l l Psychoanalysis is therapy aimed at making patients aware of their unconscious motives so that they can gain control of their behavior. It is based on the observations that individuals are most likely unaware of that influence their emotions, relationships and behavior. Example: Amy’s father left she and her mother soon after she was born. Through the years she developed major trust issues towards the opposite sex, so much so that every time she was about to get married, she would leave the man at the altar but couldn’t come to terms as to why. The therapist would then help her realize that she is this way due to what her father did.

Where did it come from? l Based on theories of Sigmund Freud. According to him, psychological disturbances are due to anxiety caused by hidden conflicts among the unconscious components of one’s personality. l Example: Freud’s theory of personality (previously learned)

The Purpose of this Therapy l l l To help patients aware of the unconscious impulses, desires, and fears that are causing the anxiety. If the patients can understand their unconscious motives, they have taken the first step towards gaining control and freeing themselves of their problems (insight). Example: Going to a Psychoanalyst to know the reason behind your severe panic attacks

Humanistic Therapy By: Caroline Clark and Hannah Hopper

What is Humanistic Therapy? n Humanistic Therapy focuses on the value, dignity, and worth of each person; healthy living is the result of realizing one’s full potential. n This method of therapy works with present (rather than past) occurrences and attitudes with a goal of client growth and fulfillment.

Client-Centered Therapy n Client-Centered Therapy is a type of Humanistic Therapy. § Client-Centered therapists assume that their clients are basically good and that they are capable of handling their own lives. § One of the goals in this type of therapy is to help the person recognize their own strengths and confidence.

Techniques of Client-Centered Therapy include: n Nondirective Therapy– The free flow of images and ideas, with no particular direction § Therapist does not direct the session § The topic they discuss is entirely up to the client

Cont. . n Active Listening – Empathetic listening; a listener acknowledges, restates, and clarifies the speaker’s thoughts § Therapist picks out main points in the clients rambling explanations n Unconditional Positive Regard – A therapist's consistent expression of acceptance of the patient, no matter what the patient says or does. § No embarrassment, reservation, or anger – Example: A patient is embarrassed about their issue with drug abuse and not being able to maintain a job but therapist accepts them and give them only positive feedback.

Final thoughts n Client-Centered Therapy has helped make therapists aware of the importance of developing supportive relationships with their clients.

Cognitive Therapy Lucas Wilson & Jaraun Brooks

What is Cognitive Therapy? • Cognitive Therapy is using thoughts to control emotions and behaviors. • It focuses on changing the way people think.

Why Use Cognitive Therapy? • Irrational or uninformed beliefs, expectations, ways of thinking can distort our behaviors, attitudes, and emotions. • By changing these patterns of thinking, a person can improve their way of life.

Different Types of Cognitive Therapy • Rational-Emotive Therapy ( RET) Albert Ellis (1973) • Beck’s Cognitive Therapy

Rational-Emotive Therapy • Helps to change unrealistic assumptions about oneself and other people • For emotional problems involving an individual’s assumptions being unrealistic • Goal is to correct these false and self-defeating beliefs Ellis liked to teach that behaviors are the result of the ABCs. He claimed that it was not the event that caused trouble, but the way the person thinks about the event (beliefs). • Example: A man seeks therapy after a woman leaves him because he can’t stand the fact that he’s been rejected. He feels that his life is miserable and empty without her. He is demanding that the woman must love him and insists that things must go his way. In therapist’s view, the man is causing himself depression by defining his feelings as need rather than desire. His faulty thinking is based on unreasonable attitudes, false premises, and rigid roles for behaviors.

RET Continued Rejection is unpleasant but not unbearable. Since the goal is to correct these false and selfdefeating beliefs, therapist will use techniques to teach the man to think in realistic terms. • • Techniques Role Playing – allows him to see how his beliefs affect his relationships Modeling – demonstrates other ways of thinking and acting Humor – underlines absurdity of his beliefs Homework – the man would need to ask woman out who are likely to reject him, so that he can cope with things not going his way

Beck’s Cognitive Therapy • Aaron T. Beck introduced this form of therapy. It is similar to the Rational-Emotive Therapy but the main difference is the focus on illogical thought processes. Beck has therapists encourage clients to engage in test of their own beliefs, by using persuasion and logic to change negative thinking patterns.

Beck’s Cognitive Therapy Continued • An example is, if a client believes that “I never have a good time, ” therapist might point out that this is a hypothesis, not a fact. Then therapist might ask the client to test the hypothesis by looking at the evidence differently and the times in her life when she actually had a good time. The therapist goal is to demonstrate that her automatic thinking may be incorrect and that things are not as bad as they seem

Behavioral Therapy n Changing undesirable behavior through conditioning techniques. § Goal of therapy is to change a behavior, not where the behavior came from. § There are different ways of behavioral therapy such as… Ø Counterconditioning- pairs stimulus with a new desirable behavior. For example, snakes trigger the fear of snakes, so therapists will pair a snake with something good to get a better behavior.

Behavioral Therapy Ø Modeling- the patient learns by watching another. Ø Aversive conditioning- make certain acts unpleasant so they will not be repeated. Ø Operant conditioning- behavior is either rewarded or punished, by adding rewards or taking them away, and adding punishment or taking away punishment. Ø Flooding- therapist exposes the client to feared object to the patient.

Biological Therapy Grant Edwards Psychology Second Period

Biological Therapy Definition: uses methods such as medication, electric shock, and surgery to help people with psychological disorders.

Drug Therapy (which is the most widely used method) - There are four kinds of drugs that can be used: 1. Antipsychotic drugs (reduces agitation, delusions and hallucinations); 2. Anti-depressant drugs (relieves depression); 3. Lithium (counteracts bipolar disorder); and 4. Anti-anxiety drugs (sedatives or mild tranquilizers). Drugs only treat the symptoms; however, they do not cure the disorder.

Doctors can decide which treatment is appropriate for each patient, such as: • Drug Therapy • Electroconvulsive Therapy • Psychosurgery

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) --which is commonly known as shock treatment. It is used for severe depression, acute mania and some forms of schizophrenia.

Psychosurgery --an operation that destroys part of the brain to make the patient calmer and lessens their symptoms. A common name for this type of operation is called a “lobotomy. ”