Poor Prognosis

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A prognosis is the likely course of a condition or chance of recovery (oxford dic). When confronted with a poor prognosis to an unfamiliar condition the individual is likely to develop psychological stress, grief and depression, which arouse physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural responses (Kasparian, 2013). In addition, the likelihood or degree of these responses is also dependent on the individual themselves for example, their emotional and physical capabilities, personality, age and gender (Kasparian, 2013). Through the breakdown of the responses in this order physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural, discussing what they are and how they are aroused. This essay aims to provide an understanding of these four likely responses an individual experience’s when presented with a poor prognosis to an unfamiliar condition. A poor prognosis to an unfamiliar condition can feel confronting or threatening and can make your respiration and heartbeat increase and also activate your sweat glands. These are the immediate physical responses, …show more content…

This increases heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and mental alertness, reduces digestive and urinary functions, and activates sweat glands and energy reserves (bio text). Stressors can also activate the HPA system in which the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete hormones such as the adrenocorticopic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then stimulates the outer surface of the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol. Cortisol increases organ sensitivity to noradrenaline and adrenaline hence, increasing your physical arousal (Weiten, et al., 2012). This is only short term however; if stress persists this could lead to more health problems such as cardiovascular disease ( Poitras & Pyke, 2013). The emotional response follows the physical

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