Question

Joseph has been working overtime to maintain a favorable status at work. It is important because they are cutting back and planning to let some people go. Joseph's wife has also been putting pressure on him to spend more time with his family. As if that wasn't enough Joseph's dad is in the hospital because of a chronic illness. Lately Joseph has been irritable and unable to sleep. He has also been having frequent headaches and feels exhausted. Explain how and why Joseph's biological system of handling stress is failing him.

Answer 1

STRESS MANAGEMENT INCLUDE

alarm reaction and resistance reaction.

*Alarm reaction is a fight or flight response

*Resistance reaction involves the anterior pituitary gland and adrenal cortex. It's effect is longer.

Generally, the resistance reaction is successful in helping us cope with a stressful situation, and our body then return to normal.

In case of Joseph, the resistance reaction fails to fight the stressor, especially it is too severe and long lasting. It moves into a stage of exhaustion.

At this stage, the cells start to die ,and the organs weaken. A long term resistance reaction puts heavy demand on the body , particularly on the heart, blood vessels and adrenal cortex, which may suddenly fail under the strain. In this respect, ability to handle stressors is determined to a large extend by the general health.

Social and emotional support available to the person helps him to effectively cope with stress. Person maintaining close relationship with family and friends are able to use more adaptive strategies. Here Joseph have poor family support and his wife has also been putting pressure on him. So his biological system of handling stress is failing him.