Stress - Key Terms

A term which literally means that an animal is energised to either flight or run away, but has come to mean a general state of energised readiness.

Any substance produced by a gland or organ of the body and circulated in the blood, only affecting specific target cells in the body.

A substance released from the end of a neuron in the synapse (gap between neurons), causing the adjacent neuron to be excited or inhibited.

The subjective experience of a lack of fit between a person and their environment (i.e. where the perceived demands of a situation are greater than a person's perceived ability to cope).

Refers to any disorder of the heart (e.g. coronary heart disease, CHD) and circulatory system (e.g. hypertension - high blood pressure).

A common mental disorder characterised by feelings of sadness, lack of interest in everyday activities, and a sense of worthlessness. Depression can be triggered by a stressful life event or by biological changes.

These are the opposite of daily hassles - they are the minor positive experiences of everyday life, for example, receiving a compliment at work or feeling good about one's appearance.

Aspects of our working environment (such as work overload or impending deadlines) that we experience as stressful, and which cause a stress reaction in our body.

The Type A behaviour pattern is characterised by constant time pressure, competitiveness in work and social situations, and anger, i.e. being easily frustrated by other people.

This provides defences against the negative effects of stress. These are control over one's life, commitment (i.e. sense of involvement in the world), and challenge (i.e. life changes are opportunities rather than threats).

the use of strategies designed directly to alleviate the stressful situation itself.

The use of strategies that deal only with the emotional distress associated with stressful events.

A combination of cognitive therapy (a way of changing maladaptive thoughts and beliefs), and behavioural therapy (a way of changing behaviour in response to these thoughts and beliefs).

The aims of hardiness training is to increase self-confidence and sense of control so that individuals can more successfully navigate change in their lives.