Types and Effect of Stress and Importance of Stress Management Response

Explanation on Stress

Stress, as defined by Hans Seyle is the “nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it”. Another definition of stress emphasizes that what makes a situation stressful is our appraisal of our own capabilities in relation to that situation (McEwen,2001, p.173). That simply means that when we feel like we are inadequately equipped to deal with a situation, we experience stress. For many individuals, the situations that elicit major amounts of stress from us are those that are completely out of our control. In addition to this, as we age, we experience various stressors relating to getting older.

Firstly, Erik Erickson described life as a serious of stages that each consisted of their own unique challenges. For the elderly, this may mean coping with emotional challenges such as overcoming grief of loved ones, spouses, and close friends, as well as reconciling one’s individual emotional state and facing the thought that death is imminent (Greenberg, 2013). Furthermore, the physical challenges associated with this stage also place a high demand on an individual. In this particular instance, the adjustment from being incredibly active and involved to being limited by the complications of rare cancer can result in extreme stress for the individual.

Additionally, the absence of social support also results in an increased level of stress for elderly individuals. A study conducted by Cutrona, Russell, and Rose (1986), revealed that high levels of social support drastically lowered the effects of stress on a person’s mental health. In addition to this, physical health was directly related to feeling valued by others in close social proximity. Although Mr. Blade’s family may not be intentionally distancing themselves from him, it is apparent that he feels disconnected from this social support system, resulting in an intensified stressful situation.

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Overall, the reasons for stress at this point in his life are directly related to changes taking place as a result of his ageing. Understandably, having to adjust to a rapidly changing lifestyle can lead any individual to experience stress.

Effects of not Adopting Stress Management Techniques

Stress does not exist in isolation in the human body and therefore an improper management of stress can result in an extremely tumultuous lifestyle. These negative effects can affect not just a person’s mental and emotional well-being but their physical health as well. It is first important to understand what happens within one’s body when one experiences stress. When presented with a stressor, the body goes into a mode of high alert in which one’s internal and external systems are activated resulting in increased blood pressure, sweating, increased heart rate, etc. (Greenberg, 2013).

Physically, prolonged stress affects the various systems of the body which produces an individual who experiences significantly lowered standards of health. For example, stress causes the muscles in the body to be in a constantly tense state, resulting in sensations such as tension-type headachess and migraine headaches. Furthermore, a person’s cardiovascular system is also at risk for deterioration as a result of prolonged stress. According to the American Psychological Association (2018), “the consistent and ongoing increase in heart rate, and the elevated levels of stress hormones and of blood pressure…can increase the risk for hypertension, heart attack or stroke.”

Aside from the physical dangers of being under constant stress, there are many other areas of life that are affected as a result of stress. Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety often arise as a result of prolonged stress. As the individual in question is already experiencing some levels of restlessness and tension, an increased stress level could mean that cancer treatments with be met with some resistance as the mind itself would not be in an incredibly positive mindset. Furthermore, an individual who is constantly stressed becomes unpleasant to be around, which in turn affects their ability to socialize with others. As someone who is elderly and terminally ill, Mr. Blade is already at risk for becoming reclusive and depressed as a result of his circumstances. Therefore, if he were to mismanage or avoid techniques for coping with stress, he may find himself isolated and detached completely from his support system.

Interventions that Can be Used to Cope

Stress is something that is experienced by all age groups and although we mainly look at the cons, it does pose its benefits. When pose its benefits is said it simply means that it can help people develop the skills they need handle possible life threatening situations such as the one that Mr. Blade is currently experiencing. Stress is unhelpful when it prevents a person from taking care of themselves or their family. Finding healthy ways to cope allows you to put your problems/ stressors into perspective. Receiving the correct amount of care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptom, because your vital goal is to stabilize your life and develop resilience to hold up under stress and trials in your life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2018).

Five interventions are going to be highlighted as it relates to stress management and coping, with focus on intrapersonal, interpersonal, physiological arousal, progressive relaxation and spirituality strategies.

1. Intrapersonal – when dealing with, trying to cope with or manage stress intrapersonal perspective one must be aware of what is happening in and around them first. We have to identify our stressors to be either routine stressors (often experienced) or unique stressors (seldom encountered) and then try to eliminate what is unnecessary (Hong Kong Baptist University (n.d). Mr. Blake is already restless, irritable and overwhelmed by the reality of the situation so reducing the noise level of the environment is an excellent way to reduce his stress levels. Diet is another intrapersonal strategy that could be used not simply diet, but a balanced one that provides a different nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. Avoiding the intake of pseudo stressors or sympathomimetic, which are the food substances that can produce a stress-like response, e.g., tea, coffee, cola, chocolate and limiting the amount of saturated fats and alcohol while increasing the amount of fiber and vegetables in our diet helps with not only stress reduction, but with the early management of the cancer (Hong Kong Baptist University (n.d.).
2. Interpersonal – The, World Health Organization states that certain mental and behavioral disorders, such as depression and anxiety, can result from failing to cope adaptively with a stressor. Kato defined interpersonal stressors as “stressful” episodes between two or more people that involve quarrels, arguments, negative attitudes or behavior, an uncomfortable atmosphere during a conversation or activity (World Health Organization 2001). Human beings are hardwired to seek out social interaction, but relationships should be enjoyable most of the time. Relationships that are not, should be carefully evaluated to find the problem so steps can be taken to correct it for everyone involved in the relationship (Hector, M. n.d.). Professional counseling can be helpful in identifying and or correcting issues such as the disconnection that Mr. Blake and his family are experiencing. Another thing that can be considered is to discontinue working and enjoy his retirement time with his family.
3.  Physiological arousal and Progressive relaxation – Physiological arousal refers to features of arousal reflected by physiological reactions, such as escalations in blood pressure and rate of respiration and lessened activity of the gastrointestinal system. The Yerkes-Dodson law states that an optimal level of arousal for performance exists, and too little or too much arousal can adversely affect task performance.The simplest psychological approaches to reducing the symptoms of stress are relaxation and meditation techniques. Progressive muscle relaxation can reduce physical tension and meditation can reduce anxieties. The effects of these techniques tend to be pretty short-lived though, so to be effective Mr. Blake would need to make it a regular part of his lifestyle (Coping with Stress 2018). Biofeedback can be used because it helps people control their stress response, by realizing when it’s underway and employing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, visualizations, and meditation to calm their physiological arousal. Many of the benefits of biofeedback simply come from the increased relaxation in your body and the lack of a chronically triggered fight-or-flight response because chronic stress can be a negative trigger for many negative health symptoms and Mr. Blake does not anything causing rapid growth of the tumor (Scott, E. 2019).
4. Spirituality – Spirituality has many definitions, but at its core spirituality helps to give your life context. For many, spirituality takes the form of religious observance, prayer, meditation or a belief in a higher power. For others, it can be found in nature, music, art or a secular community. Spirituality is different for everyone (Mayo 2019). Spiritual-Religious (S-R) coping is the use of religious beliefs, attitudes or practices to reduce the emotional distress caused by stressful events of life, such as loss or change, which gives suffering meaning and makes it more bearable. Spirituality as a coping mechanism can be observed to be a powerful resource in the provision of comfort, peace, and resolution for patients confronted with critical illness or news of a potential critical illness such as with Mr. Blake. Research suggests that spiritual coping strategies, involving relationship with self, others, Ultimate other/God or nature were found to help individuals to cope with their ailments. This may be because of finding meaning, purpose and hope, which may nurture individuals in their suffering. Being a believer or nonbeliever allows an individual to realize the lack of control over his/her life. However the use of spiritual coping strategies may enhance self-empowerment, leading to finding meaning and purpose in illness (Baldacchino, D., & Draper, P. 2001).

Plan of Dealing with Grief and Dying

Grief is very personal and as such, you might go through a range of feelings and could sometimes feel overwhelmed. The two things that help most are time and support (Cancer Research UK 2019). As a caregiver or relative, coping with the idea of losing your loved one can be terrifying. A caregiver’s emotional well-being and quality of life drop dramatically when their loved one transitions from curative treatment (care that is focused on eliminating the cancer and curing the patient) to end-of-life care (care that is focused on providing pain relief and comfort for a terminally ill patient). If your loved one’s cancer becomes incurable, expect the physical and emotional demands of the end-of-life phase of care-giving to be the most intense and exhausting part of the cancer journey (Head and Neck cancer guide n.d).

If Mr. Blake’s cancer progresses, hospice and palliative care is recommended to make the him as comfortable as possible for his remaining time. Palliative care would not only offer pain management and symptom control for him, but it would also provide emotional support to his family and caregivers. It would afford his family the privilege to be involved in symptom management, communication and medical decision-making. With hospice and palliative care, Mr. Blake may begin feeling guilty or have feelings of helplessness or hopelessness. If Mr. Blake and his family are religious and praying helps them to find peace, it should be made as a part of each day until the end. The family members can invite their spiritual leader or members of their church to be with you and your loved one if that will help ease the stress of the situation (Cancer Research UK 2019).

Dr. Kubler- Ross identified five stages that a dying person usually experience as denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. The first stage in the Kubler-Ross model is denial. During this stage, the initial (and most common) emotional response to the knowledge of impending death is denial. People in this stage say, ‘No, not me. It can’t be!’ According to Kubler-Ross, denial serves as a defense mechanism. The second stage is anger. Once the dying person accepts that the diagnosis is correct he or she may become very angry. Feelings of rage or resentment may overcome this person and the anger may be directed at others as well. The person may ask, ‘Why me?’ The third stage is bargaining. During this stage the dying person may try to barter with doctors, family or even God. Saying, ‘Okay, but please…’ The person may try to bargain for a cure, extra time with family or less pain.

The fourth stage is depression. As the dying person realizes death is impending and has nothing left to bargain, he or she may become depressed. The individual may grieve what they have already lost (for example the ability to walk or have independence) and grieve the impending separation from loved ones. The final stage is acceptance. Kubler-Ross described this time period as a period of calm and peace. If the dying person was able to work through previous emotional stages, they may be at a point of reflectance and embrace the end of their battle (Hurst, M. n.d.).

References

1. American Psychological Association. (2018). Stress effects on the body. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body
2. Baldacchino, D., & Draper, P. (2001, June). Spiritual coping strategies: A review of the nursing research literature. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11422554
3. Cancer Research UK (2019, February 21). Coping with cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/dying-with-cancer/after-someone-dies/coping-with-grief
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018, January 09). Tips for Coping with Stress|Publications|Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC. Retrieved July 4, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/copingwith-stresstips.html
5. Cutrona, C., Russell, D., & Rose, J. (1986). Social support and adaptation to stress by the elderly. Psychology and Aging, 1(1), 47-54.
6. Hector, M. (n.d.). Managing Interpersonal Relationship Stress. Retrieved July 4, 2019, from https://stress.lovetoknow.com/Managing_Interpersonal_Relationship_Stress
7. Hong Kong Baptist University (n.d.). Stress Intervention – Intrapersonal. Retrieved July 4, 2019, from http://stress.hkbu.edu.hk/English Version/stress_management.html
8. Hurst, M. (n.d.). What Are the Stages of Dying? – Overview of Kubler-Ross’s 5 Stages. Retrieved July 04, 2019, from https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-the-stages-of-dying-overview-of-kubbler-rosss-5-stages.html
9. Living with Cancer: Death, Dying and the Cancer Caregiver. (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2019, from https://headandneckcancerguide.org/adults/the-emotional-journey/the-caregivers-emotional-journey/death-and-dying/
10. Mayo Clinic (2019, March 15). Spirituality for stress relief? Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044464
11. Scott, E. (2019, June 24). Can Biofeedback Help Relieve Stress? Retrieved July 4, 2019, from https://www.verywellmind.com/biofeedback-and-stress-relief-3144924
12. World Health Organization (2001). The World health report 2001:Mental health:New Understanding,New Hope. Retrieved July 4, 2019. Switzerland- World Health Organization