KATY RIMSTAD, MAUNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

PERSONAL COUNSELING AND TESTING

Stress and Health

What is stress?

Human reaction to change

Different for different people

CatastrophesSignificant life changesDaily hasslesConflict

College Undergraduate Stress Scale

Add up stress ratings that you have experienced

Individual differences in what event is how stressful

Cumulative effectGender differences? Some events occur multiple times in a year

Stress Response Systems

Fight or Flight Response

General Adaptation Syndrome Alarm reaction Resistance Exhaustion

Physical Reactions to Stress

Sympathetic nervous system activates Increased heart rate & breathing Digestion stops Pain is dulled

Stress hormones released Cortisol Adrenaline

Cannot remain in this state forever

Not all stress is bad

Needed for motivation and performance

Stress x Performance Some helps, too much interferes Breakdown point is different for all

Stress x Performance

Level of stress

Perf

orm

an

ce

Related to Stress

Heart Disease

Susceptibility to disease Immune System AIDS Cancer Conditioning

Perceived Control

Poverty inequalities

Optimism vs. Pessimism

Handout: What are the chances of you getting these health problems?

Promoting Health/Coping with Stress

ExerciseBiofeedback/RelaxationSocial SupportSpiritualityCognitive Daily ActivitiesModify Illness-Related behavior

Coping Styles

Active-Cognitive1, 6, 7, 10, 11, 15, 20, 21, 23, 26, 29

Active-Behavioral2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, 25, 28,

31, 32Avoidance

4, 9, 14, 16, 19, 24, 27, 30