use of self protective properties and mechanisms

to regulate homeostasis

unsuccessful adaptation results in stress

brain and spinal cord

-brain is divided into cortex and subcortex

factors that affect response to stress

physiologic stress response

-general adaptation syndrome 

bodys physical response is all the same

but the emotional response is different

-syndrome follows one two three stage pattern

alarm stage

(fight or flight, become aware)

resistance stage

(maintain homeostasis) 

exhaustion stage

(your body gives up)

used by humans to prevent their ego, reality base, from feeling inadequate 

-helps to deal with stress provoking events or situations

therapeutic: help the person see insight, gain confidence, develop emotional security

nontherapeutic: using mind/mood altering substances, excessive sleep, abandoning social activities, avoiding conflict

coping mechanisms:

repression 

suppression

denial

rationalization

forgetting about the stressors

purposely avoid thinking about the stressor

rejecting information

attributing responsibility to someone or something else

coping mechanisms:

displacement 

regression

projection

somatization

taking anger out on something or someone else

behaving younger than you are 

attributing that which is unaaceptable in oneself 

onto another

manifesting emotional stress through a physical disorder

coping mechanisms:

compensation

sublimation

reaction formation

identification

excelling at something to make up for a weakness of another kind

channeling energies into an alternative source

acting just the opposite of ones feelings

taking on characteristics of another