Question

1 List the 5 stages of stress and describe each stage. Provide an example of the behavior that may be demonstrated in each stage.

2 The textbook and PowerPoint list several tips for reducing stress. Which tips do you feel are most important? List 5 and explain why you feel they are most important.

Match the following types of stress, in order, leading to burnout. (Brownout Phase, Phoenix Phase, Awakening Phase, Honeymoon Phase, Full-Scale Burnout Phase)

Answer 1

1 List the 5 stages of stress and describe each stage. Provide an example of the behavior that may be demonstrated in each stage.

Five stages of stress are:

1. Alarm stage

2. Resistance stage

3.Coping or recovery stage

4. Adaptation

5 Burnout

1. Alarm stage ( primary stage )

It is the first stage of stress response.In which the individual perceives stressor physically or mentally. Brain receives signal from the body and the fight-or flight response initiated. Stress hormones like cortisol and norepinephrin released, sympathetic  nervous system activated. Person feels palpitation, dry mouth sweating, abdominal bloating, diarrhoea.In this stage either the person try to escape from the stressful situation or they fight to protect themselves.

Example for flight to fight response-If a person seeing a snake, initially they will try to escape from the area. If not possible to escape , the person try to fight by killing the snake using stike or something.

2. Resistance stage

The person moves from the initial stress stage to adaptation stage quickly. However, it depends on person's, physical functioning, coping abilities, number and intensity of stressors.In this stage cortico steroid level and sympathetic nervous system returns to normal.Fight to flight response disappears. The person adapt new strategies or attempt to expand to overcome stress or exhausted.

eg. An incidence like death of loved one produce stress. To overcome the stress the person seeks support from the family members or change their living environment or spending more time  in other activities than before.

3.Recovery stage ( coping)

Recovery is integral to return to state of equilibrium, and being most healthy state. The person use coping mechanism effectively, and find solution to reduce stress.

Eg. Avoiding exposure to stressors, doing meditationor yoga to calm the body and mind , regular excersing release endorphine , thus increase wellbeing and stress recovery.

4. Adaptation stage

After experiencing stress the person either try to recover from the stressful state fully or adapt to the situation what they have experienced.If the person do not adapt ,body will be in long term stress. The negative response in the form of low enery level, low self esteem,insomnia, flash back of events, difficulty in managing emotions lack of libido.The individual must realize themselves about their feeling and take best possible solution to adapt and maintain equilibrium.

Eg: Death of loved one, cause feeling of loneliness,helplessness. The person should realize that the death is an inevitable process. To reduce emotions and negative response, the person should accept the situation and modify their lifestyle pattern.

5. Burnout stage

If the person is continuously exposed to stressors or unable to adapt the stressful situation positively, bournout occurs in the form of severe exhausion, severe emotional problems, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, lack of positivity. Catastropihic thoughts may lead to suicide. Loss of resistance may lead to death.

Eg. Post traumatic stress cause flash back of events, depression, sleeplessness, suicidal ideation.