A theory that explores individual reactions to stress alongside the impact of stress on health and wellbeing is Ursin and Eriksen’s (2004) cognitive activation theory of stress (CATS). This theory can be described as an activation theory as it describes the activation of the brain into action in response to a stressor. It also explores the likelihood of a negative impact on health and wellbeing if this response is maintained for long periods. According to CATS theory (Ursin & Eriksen, 2004), alarm occurs when the brain appraises that there is a difference between what is expected to happen and what is realistically happening. Hamilton-West (2011) explains that within this theory, the intensity of the alarm is evaluated by the brain’s expectation …show more content…
However, in a more unpredictable situation, if the person anticipates they are unable to cope with the perceived demand the brain activates a stress response. CATS is also able to describe the ability for the body to adapt and regulate its own stress response in the event that it is exposed to repeated experiences with similar stimuli (Meurs & Perrewe, 2011). Ursin and Eriksen (2004) stated in their research that a negative impact to health only occurs when the body cannot cope with the stress stimulus or stressor. When the body cannot cope, helplessness or hopelessness occurs. Helplessness can be defined as a situation that a person has no control over, or is so unpredictable the person does not have the resources to manage. Hopelessness can be defined as a person having control over a situation but expecting a negative result. Hamilton-West (2011) summarises that the stress response leading from both these states can either be positive (training the brain how to react in a similar situation next time) or negative and creating strain on the …show more content…
Gastrointestinal problems including ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome are not caused by stress but stress can contribute to episodes of illness and exaggerate the effects by causing the gut to become overactive (Smith & Fawcett, 2006). Stress stimulates the release of hydrochloric acid within the gut while inhibiting the protective mucosa in the gut, this makes the environment of the gut more acidic thus affecting the body’s ability to heal and combat ulceration (Wilson, 2005). Recurrent headaches and migraines have been linked to stress, caused by the tension and contraction of head and neck muscles and increased activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline within the stress response (Carson, 2006, Sarafino & Smith, 2014). Skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis can all be caused or be influenced by stress (Tausk, Ellenkov & Moynihan, 2008). According to Nolen-Hoeksema, Frederickson, Loftus & Wagenaar (2009), it is commonly perceived that people with psychophysiological disorders do not need treatment as the illnesses and symptoms are a manifestation of the psychological stress and do not require medical intervention. In fact, Nolen-Hoeksema et al (2009) argue that it is believed that stress is a key factor in over half of all
This paper will take a look at two developmental theories looking for similarities and differences. It will also look at how each theory does or does not incorporate explanations or allowances for populations that have been oppressed. The paper will also look at each stage of both theories looking for similarities and major differences and also their strengths and limitations.
My name is Dr. Carrie Zimmerman; I have been a clinical neuroscientist studying stress for the past five years. This is a personal stress case study on patient H. I have been seeing patient H for four years, and have been building a case study on her stress life for the duration of that time. Throughout this case study I will be consulting “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” by Dr. Robert M. Sapolsky.
Erik Erikson was dabbled in art after he finished high school and then traveled through Europe. He then knew what he wanted to study after his friend suggested him to study psychoanalysis. So he did and later on down the road he received a certificate from Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. He then moved to the United States in 1933 and had a teaching position at Harvard Medical School. He began a private practice in child psychoanalysis. He also held a teaching position at the University of California, Berkeley, Yale, San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, Austen Riggs Center, and also the Center for advanced Studies of the Behavioral Sciences. He published many books on his theories and research. He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and also he was awarded with the national Book Award. He began to studying the cultural life of the Sioux of South Dakota and the Yurok of Northern California. The Knowledge he had gained of the cultural, environmental, and the social help to further the development of his psychoanalytic theory. He contributed to help us understand the personality while it is developed and also shaped over the course of lifespan. One of his quotes say “ You see a child play and it’s so close to seeing an artist paint, for in a play a child say things without uttering a word. You can see how he solves his problems. You can also see what’s wrong. Young children, especially, have enormous creativity, and whatever’s in them rises to the surface in free play.” He took the facts from when he was child and put it into his work and he found much easier from looking at it from a child’s point of view.
To a great extent, stress can be a helpful response, especially for prehistoric humans. During this era, our species needed to react quickly to outside stimuli through a response of “fight or flight”. Through stress, certain hormones are released to help the individual resist the stressor, which may have meant running away from a natural predator. Thus, stress is a positive response that ensures the survival of the species. However, stress over a prolonged period of time causes exhaustion in the individual. Consequently, although stress can be helpful for individuals today, many often experience chronic stress, inflicting varying degrees of damage to their bodies.
Everyone everywhere has experienced stress with something they have dealt with in life. Whether it is school, paying bills, managing a busy schedule or work, stress affects everyone. Although everyone experiences stress, many people don’t actually know what stress is. Stress is the physical response of the body to harmful situations that threaten someone’s well being. When someone says “stress”, the word is automatically associated with a negative effect on people but small doses of stress can benefit a person, if used to correctly. Everyone’s stress level is different and the amount of stress that can be handled varies from person to person but a stress overload will not benefit anyone. “When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body to allow you to act in a way to prevent injury” (“Stress Management Health Center”). The chemical that is released when stressed is known as cortisol, also known a stress hormone. “Cortisol is like a long-term form of adrenaline, produced in the adrenal gland when the body is under pressure” (“The Effects of Stress on Your Reproductive Health and Fertility”). Adrenaline is also released to send the body into, what is known as, emergency action (“Stress Symptoms, Signs and Causes”). This emergency action speeds up reactions preformed by the body and the mind. This is a way of protecting the body. While in emergency action, this stress caused by threatening situations can save your life. In emergency situations, you are given “extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on your brakes to avoid a car accident” (“Stress Management Health Center”). Signs of being in this emergency action are a racing heart, blood pressure rises, quickening of breath and tigh...
The purpose of this paper is to define stress and how it effects the body's physiological systems. This paper will include the normal functions and organs involved in the following five physiological systems, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune and musculoskeletal. This paper will also include a description of a chronic illness associated with each physiological system and how the illness is affected by stress.
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Each bodily physiological system has an individual established set point, or level of balance; however, some fluctuations in these levels are tolerated. The balance of any system can be, and regularly is, disturbed by internal and/or external events of the mechanical, physical, chemical, biological, and/or social types. When this balance is disrupted, and involuntary mobilizations of biological processes are not able to re-establish it, an alarm reaction is activated (Schedlowski and Tewes, 1999). This reaction is referred to as a stress response, and the activating agent is the stressor (Selye, 1936). Recently, studies of stress have shifted from demonstrating relationships between psychological factors and somatic outcomes, to investigations of the mediational pathways involved in these associations. For example, (Cohen and Williamson, 1991) have built on the work of Lazarus’ model by suggesting that once an environmental event is encountered, it is appraised, and an affective response is made.
The term ‘stress’ was generally thought to have been a concept created by Robert Hooke in the 17th century. He worked on the design of physical structures, such as bridges; his concept of stress came from how much pressure a structure could withstand. However, Lazarus (1993) pointed out that the term ‘stress’ has been used as far back as the 14th century, when it meant hardship or adversity. Back then it referred to the external stressor, such as the death of a spouse or financial worry; in the 20th century, there are many different schools of thought on this area. Hans Selye (1956), brought together the work of Cannon and Bernard and devised a comprehensive system of physiological stress; which he termed the ‘General Adaptation Syndrome’, and is a 3-stage process. He theorised that a certain level of stress called ‘eustress’ (Cox, 1978) could actually be beneficial to our overall performance. Later In 1976, Cox & Mackay devised another model called the ‘Transactional model’. This model takes into account the individual differences in the perception of the amount of stress experienced by the person. The main difference between these two models is that Selye’s model only accounts for the physiological side of stress, whereas Cox’s model takes into account both the physiological and psychological aspects of stress. Therefore, both models will have slight similarities and differences in their explanation for how stress occurs in individuals, which is the main focus of this essay.
In modern days societies, stress is commonly known as our bodies being overwhelmed. Because majority of the people living in this world go to bed every single night with deadlines in their mind, bills to pay, appointments to attend, files they need to create, presentations, meetings, interviews, commute and so many likes, it is very easy to compel our bodies to become heavily exposed with stress. It’s reasonable to think stress as bein...
Erik Erikson was a researcher of the Psychodynamic perspective who lived through the years 1902 to 1994. He developed a theory that dealt with the stages of human development and was referred to as a Neo-Freudian. A Neo-Freudian are those “who have revised Sigmund Freud’s theory” (Massey, 1986). His theory argued that “both society and culture challenge and shape us” (Feldman, 2011). Erik Erikson’s theory of psychological development does not specify specific ages, so the age categories can only be guessed upon. It is my personal thought that this was a smart move due to different age milestones for different cultures. The essay titled Erik Erikson: Ages, stages, and stories argues that the stages “are organized into a system of polarities that tempt us to think about psychological dynamics in a form that is more binary than Erikson intended.” Each stage has a ‘resolution’ or goal. Each stage presents a “crisis or conflict that the individual must resolve” (Feldman, 2011, p.16)
Erikson’s theory has a total of eight different stages. I believe Erikson had a great idea and was correct in his theory and thoughts. His stages and repercussions of each stage can be evident in my life as well as others in my life. Erikson’s first stage is about trust and mistrust in the first year of life. In my first year of life my family was very present. There does not go a week where my family does not recount about that first year and different silly or happy stories, I do not know of first hand, but can tell you without hesitation. Being that I was the first child of my parents, so as a result my parents dedicated every day to me and to support us. On my mother 's side I was the first grandchild to be born. As a result there was always
Theorists have expanded our knowledge of psychology, influenced one another to broaden, and built upon each other’s theories to develop their own. One theorist who has built upon previous theorists was Erik Erikson. Erikson developed an eight-stage theory of identity and psychosocial development, which has countless strengths and weaknesses.
Kumar, Anil, Puneet Rinwa, Gurleen Kaur, and Lalit Machawal. "Stress: Neurobiology, consequences, and management." Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 2013: 1-7.
When stressful events occur, three types of responses take place, an emotional response, a physiological response, and a behavioral response. Negative emotional responses such as anxiety, anger, and grief are common responses to stress. However, in some cases, an individual may exhibit positive emotions when coping with stressful situations. According to Folkman and Moskowiz, positive emotions promote resilience in the face of stress by promoting creativity, problem solving, flexibility, and can enhance physical and psychological health (Weiten & Lloyd, 2006, p. 84). The fight or flight response is a physiological reaction to a perceived threat of danger, in which the body prepares itself to either fight or flee an attacker.
Despite that many don 't realize the dangers, stress is one of the most significant problems of modern times, causing serious problems on physical and mental health. Stress symptoms may be affecting a patients health, even though a doctor may not realize it. Don 't assume that an illness is to blame for that excruciating headache or your sleep deprivation. Let 's face it, everyone copes with stress. Sometimes stress is in our favor, but other times it could feel like stress is taking over. " Stress is a normal physical response your body uses to protect itself from challenges life throws at it each day"(Stress and Health: How Stress Affects Your Health) Stress affects everyone differently, so it 's important to understand what may be causing