Stress: Key terms

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Fight or Flight
A term which literally means that an animal is energized to either fight or run away, but has come to mean a general state of energized readiness.
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Hormones
Any substance produced by a gland or organ of the body and circulated in the blood, only affecting specific target cells of the body.
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Pituitary-adrenal system
A stress response system involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal cortex, which helps the body deal with chronic stressors.
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Stress
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.
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Sympathomedullary pathway
The influence of the SNS and adrenal medulla prepares the body for fight or flight when faced with an acute stressor.
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Immune system
This is a system of cells within the body that is concerned with fighting against intruders such as viruses and bacteria. White blood cells (leucocytes) identify and eliminate foreign bodies (antigens).
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Cardiovascular disorder
Refers to any disorder of the heart (e.g. coronary heart disease CHD) and circulatory system (e.g. hypertension - high blood pressure).
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Depression
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 chnages.
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Life changes
Events in a persons life (such as divorce or bereavement) that require a significant adjustment in various aspects of a persons life. As such, they are significant sources of stress.
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Daily hassles
Are the 'irritating, frustrating, distressing demands that to some degree characterise everyday transactions with the environment' (Kanner et al, 1981)
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Daily uplifts
Are the opposite to daily hassles - they are the minor positive experiences of everyday life, for example, receiving a compliment at work or feeling good about ones appearance.
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Workplace stressors
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.
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Type A behaviour
The type A behaviour pattern is that chracterised by constant time pressure, competitiveness in work and social situations, and anger, i.e being easily frustrated by other people.
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Type B behaviour
The type B behaviour pattern is characterised by an easygoing, relaxed and patient approach to life.
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Stress inoculation therapy
A type of CBT which trains people to cope with anxiety and stressful situations more effectively by learning skills to 'inoculate' themselves against the damaging effects of future stressors.
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Hardiness training
The aim of hardiness training is to increase self-confidence and sense of control so that individuals can more successfully navigate change in their lives.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

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

Back

Hormones

Card 3

Front

A stress response system involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal cortex, which helps the body deal with chronic stressors.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

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.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

The influence of the SNS and adrenal medulla prepares the body for fight or flight when faced with an acute stressor.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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