Term
| What is the definition of stress? |
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Definition
Stress: forces that are brought against an object in equilibrium
In psychiatry, stress = life events or stressors that alter the expected course of an individual's goals, emplyorment, relationships and health. |
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Term
| What is the Social Readjustment Rating Scale? |
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Definition
- Scale from Holmes and Rahe - associates magnitude of stress with selected life events.
- Score: 1-100 (100=most stressful, i.e. death of spouse)
- Includes positive events, i.e. birth of wanted child
- The more adjustments patients need to make, the higher their risk for medical and psychiatric illness. |
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Term
| What are 5 psychological factors that affect the course or treatment of a medical conditon? |
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Definition
1) Mental disorder or psychological symptom (Axis I or II disorder or symptom of the disorder)
2) Maladaptive health behavior
3) Stress-related physiological response
4) Personality trait
5) Coping style
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Term
| What is general adaptation syndrome? |
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Definition
Homeostatic mechanisms that the body uses in response to social stress
Examples:
- Increased epinephrine --> can exacerbate cardiovascular disorders, i.e. congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, HTN
- Increased cortisol (chronic stress) --> altered immune system, decreased ability to resist infection or cancer |
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