Is a vague feeling of dread or apprehension; it is a response to external or internal stimuli that can have behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and

physical symptoms. FEAR, on the other hand, is feeling afraid or threatened by a clearly identifiable external stimulus that represents danger to the person.

PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY
Anxiety is caused by a conflict between the ID and

the superego

INTERPERSONAL THEORY
Cause of anxiety is fear of interpersonal rejection

BEHAVIORAL THEORY
Anxiety is a product of frustration

LEARNING THEORY
Exposure to early life fearful experiences causes

anxiety

CONFLICT THEORY
Presence of two opposing drives, causes anxiety

BIOLOGIC THEORY
Anxiety may accompany physical ailments/disease

Anxiety has both healthy and harmful aspects depending on its degree and duration as well as on how well the person copes with it. Anxiety has four levels:
Mild

Moderate
Severe Panic

is a sensation that something is different and warrants special attention. Mild anxiety often motivates people to make changes or to engage in goal directed activity. Ex. It helps students to focus on studying for an exam.

Is the disturbing feeling that something is definitely wrong; the person becomes nervous or agitated. The person can still process information, solve problems, and learn new things with assistance from others. He or she has difficulty concentrating independently but can be redirected to the topic.

Has trouble thinking and reasoning The ability to perceive is further reduced, and focus is on small or scattered details. More primitive survival skills take over, defensive responses ensue, and cognitive skills decrease significantly

Complete disruption of the ability to perceive takes place. The emotional-psychomotor realm predominates with accompanying fight, flight, or freeze responses. The person cannot perceive potential harm and may have no capacity for rational thought.

S/SX
PHYSICAL

MILD
PR, RR, BP Pupillary dilatation Sweating

MODERATE
Nausea Anorexia Vomiting Diarrhea Constipation Restlessness

SEVERE
S/Sx becomes the focus of attention

PANIC
S/Sx of exhaustion are ignored

COGNITIVE

Attentive and alert patient

Narrowed perceptual field and selective inattention

Perceptual field is greatly narrowed Focus of attention is trivial events

Personality is disorganized/disi ntergrated

EMOTIONAL

Minimal use of defense mechanisms

Use of any defense mechanism available

Defense mechanisms fails

Physiologic Symptoms
Elevated PR, BP, and RR Dyspnea or hyperventilation Diaphoresis Vertigo or light-headedness Blurred vision Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting Frequency of urination Headache Insomnia or sleep disturbance Weakness or muscle tension Tightness in the chest Sweaty palms Dilated pupils

Psychological or Emotional Symptoms

Behavioral Symptoms
Pacing Inability to sit still Fingering hair continuously or other nervous habits Hypervigilance

Intellectual or Cognitive Symptoms Decreased interest Inability to concentrate Nonresponsiveness to external stimuli Decreased productivity Preoccupation Forgetfulness Orientation to past rather than present or future Rumination

The body and minds reaction to everyday demands or threats. Stress can be useful or harmful, energizing or exhausting. How each person reacts to the stressful situation, will often determine the effect it will have on the person

STRESS: neutral stress which often challenges people in their day to day tasks

School Work Athletics Obligations Deadlines Expectations

EUSTRESS:

positive stress which helps people to meet their goals

the winning points in a game Getting a new job Going on a date Getting a promotion Getting a good grade Being recognized for a job well done

DISTRESS:

negative stress which can cause too much pressure and trauma in ones life
Overworked Failing a class Parents divorce Getting fired from a job Death of a loved one

The source of stress in each persons life; people, places, and things that cause stress in day to day life

Biological Environmental Cognitive Personal Behavior Life Situations

It is not the stressor that causes anxiety, it is the persons perception of the stressor that leads to anxious feelings

Health Problems

School Family

Drugs/ Alcohol

Jobs

YOU
Girlfriend/ Boyfriend

Finances

Future Plans Activities

Peers

General adaptation syndrome, or GAS, is a term used to describe the body's short-term and long-term reactions to stress. Stressors in humans include such physical stressors as starvation, being hit by a car, or suffering through severe weather. Additionally, humans can suffer such emotional or mental stressors as the loss of a loved one, the inability to solve a problem, or even having a difficult day at work.

Originally described by Hans Selye (1907 1982), an Austrian-born physician who emigrated to Canada in 1939, the general adaptation syndrome represents a threestage reaction to stress. He called these stages the alarm reaction (AR), the stage of resistance (SR), and the stage of exhaustion (SE).

the response to the stressful situation; when the body and mind are on high alert and the stress response is initiated Resistance Response: the 2nd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the body is attempting to repair any damage that has been done by the stress Fatigue-Exhaustion: the 3rd stage of the response to the stressful situation; when the stress is not adequately dealt with, the body breaks down and health problems result

Alarm-Initial Reaction: the 1st stage of

The first stage of the general adaptation stage, the alarm reaction, is the immediate reaction to a stressor. In the initial phase of stress, humans exhibit a "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body for physical activity. However, this initial response can also decrease the effectiveness of the immune system, making persons more susceptible to illness during this phase.

Stage 2 is the stage of resistance. During this phase, if the stress continues, the body adapts to the stressors it is exposed to. Changes at many levels take place in order to reduce the effect of the stressor. For example, if the stressor is starvation (possibly due to anorexia), the person might experienced a reduced desire for physical activity to conserve energy, and the absorption of nutrients from food might be maximized.

At this stage, the stress has continued for some time. The body's resistance to the stress may gradually be reduced, or may collapse quickly. Generally, this means the immune system, and the body's ability to resist disease, may be almost totally eliminated. Patients who experience longterm stress may succumb to heart attacks or severe infection due to their reduced immunity. For example, a person with a stressful job may experience long-term stress that might lead to high blood pressure and an eventual heart attack.

The amount of stress that someone can handle before they reach a state of too much stress and they experience fatigue and breakdown

Severe Headaches or Migraines Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Constipation Chronic Fatigue--Lack of Energy Insomnia (Sleeplessness) Lack of Memory--Unable to Concentrate Irregular Menstruation Decreased Sex Drive Lack of Appetite Emotional Mood Swings

Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse Loneliness and Depression Suicide Attempts Psychological Problems Ulcers Stroke Heart Attack Emotional or Mental Illness Weakened Immune System-Frequent Illness

Type A: Type B: Passive: Assertive:

competitive, high achieving; thrives on high stress lifestyle laid back, non-competitive; avoids stressful situations wimpy, crumbles under pressure, easily influenced by others firm and positive, stands up for personal beliefs, takes control of situations, influences others in a positive way hostile, forceful, intimidating, bullys beliefs on others

Aggressive:

EGO:

Self

DEFENSE:

Protection

MECHANISM:

Strategies used to help reduce stress levels when stressful situations occur

Interpersonal Conflicts: stress caused

by conflicts between two people or groups of people

Internal Conflicts: stress

caused by conflicts that occur within the person themselves

moment, and what is right in the long run

T: Take a Time Out

A: Allow Each Person

To Present Their Point of View Questions

L: Let Each Person Ask K: Keep Brainstorming

Set & Prioritize Goals Budget Your Time Learn to Say No Slow Down Take a Time Out Relax & Have Fun Get Regular Exercise Eat Healthy Get 7-10 hrs. of Sleep per Night Have a Support System

Have Plans B, C, D, E ready to go when plan A doesnt work out Take a Power Nap when needed Talk your problems out with a friend or a professional If your Lost, stop and ask for directions Laugh and Have Fun