Stress Management

Stress Management

1. Psychological Methods

   • Stress Inoculation Therapy
     • 1. Conceptualisation Phase
       • Therapist and patient establish relationship
       • Patient educated about stress
       • Asked to keep diary
     • 2. Skills Acquisition Phase
       • Coping skills are taught and practised
         • Intially in clinic
         • Gradually in real life
       • Skills tailored to patient
         • Positive thinking
         • Relaxation
     • 3. Application Phase
       • Clients given opportunities to practice skills in different situations
       • Therapists monitor success
       • Patient may even be asked to train others
   • Evaluation
     • Effective
       • Gaab et al. (2003)
     • Time Consuming
       • Slow relief compared to drugs
     • Unnecessarily complex
       • Activities could be reduced and have no effect on results

2. Biological Methods

   • Benzodiazepines
     • Enhances GABA
     • Binds to special sites on recpetors
     • Allows more chloride ions to enter neuron
       • More resistant to excitation
     • Brain outputs less excitatory neurotransmitters
       • Calming effect
   • Betablockers
     • Reduce activity of adrenaline and nor adrenaline
     • Bind to receptors on heart cells
       • Harder to stimulate cells
     • Heart beats slower and with less force
       • Lowers blood pressure
   • Evaluation
     • Effectiveness
       • Kahn et al.
         • BZs superior to placebos
     • Addiction
       • Patients experience withdrawal symptoms
     • Side Effects
       • Aggressive
       • Memory Loss
       • Diabetes
     • Symptoms over Problem
       • Does not deal with cause
       • Once treatment stops, symptoms return
     • Ease of Use
       • Fast relief compared to SIT