Course Code: HS-117

[Stress and Mental Health]

Instructor
Dr. Kedarmal Verma
Email: [email protected]
School of HSS
IIT Indore, MP-India
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 Unit-II

(Stress and Its Effect)

Content
• Introduction
• Diathesis-Stress Model
• Task Performance
• Cognitive Functioning
• Burnout
• PTSD
• Psychological Problems and Disorders
• Positive Effects
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 Introduction

• Stress is a multifaceted phenomenon that manifests in various forms and affects individuals differently.
• It's a complex physiological and psychological response to demands, challenges, or changes in one's environment,
emotions, or thoughts.
• Recognizing the nature of stress and its diverse effects is crucial in implementing effective coping strategies, managing
stressors, and promoting overall well-being.

• Physical Health Impacts:

• Cardiovascular issues like hypertension, heart disease, and increased susceptibility to infections due to weakened
immune function.
• Stress can exacerbate conditions like migraines, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin problems and contribute to
chronic pain.
• Mental Health Consequences:
• Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even substance abuse disorders. Chronic stress can
contribute to the onset or worsening of these conditions, affecting emotional well-being.
• Social and Behavioral Effects:
• Leading to changes like social withdrawal, irritability, sleep disturbances, or altered eating habits.
• Relationships may suffer due to increased tension, communication difficulties, or reduced social interactions.

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 Diathesis-Stress Model
• Also known as the vulnerability–stress model, is a psychological theory.
• It explain a disorder (development of mental health disorders), its trajectory, as the result of an interaction between a
predispositional vulnerability and environmental stressors/stress caused by life experiences.
• Predispositional Vulnerability: Individual's inherent/pre-existing susceptibility to certain conditions, traits, or disorders;
influenced by a combination of genetic, biological, and early environmental factors.
• Diathesis (Greek term): predisposition OR tendency / sensibility
• This model proposes that mental health conditions emerge when individuals with certain biological, genetic, or
environmental predispositions/conditions are exposed to significant stress or adverse life events.

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 Diathesis-Stress Model
Key Components of the Diathesis-Stress Model
• Primarily developed by Meehl, Bleuler, and Rosenthal in the 1960s

1. Diathesis (Predisposed Vulnerability):

• Biological Factors: Genetic predispositions/inherited traits that increase susceptibility to mental health
disorders.
• Environmental Influence: Early life experiences, such as childhood trauma, neglect, or chronic stress,
contributing to an individual's vulnerability.
• Temperamental Traits: Certain personality characteristics or temperamental tendencies that elevate the risk of
developing disorders (e.g. neuroticism, perfectionism, impulsivity, low self-esteem, and introversion)

2. Stressors (Environmental Triggers):

• Types of Stress: Varied stressors including acute, chronic, or major life events like loss, trauma, relationship
conflicts, work-related stress, or financial difficulties.
• Impact on Vulnerability: Stress acts as a catalyst, activating or exacerbating underlying vulnerabilities in
susceptible individuals.
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 Diathesis-Stress Model
Core Concepts of the Model

1. Interaction between Diathesis and Stress:

• The model posits that the risk of developing a mental health disorder is higher when an individual with a
predisposed vulnerability encounters significant stressors.
• It suggests that the higher the diathesis level, the lower the threshold for stress required to trigger the onset or
exacerbation of a psychological disorder.

2. Manifestation of Psychological Disorders:

• When diathesis interacts with stressful life events, it can lead to the emergence of psychological symptoms or
disorders.
• The model proposes, stress acts as a triggering factor, revealing or intensifying hidden vulnerabilities,
resulting in the development of disorders like depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.

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 Diathesis-Stress Model
Clinical Application and Implications

1. Treatment and Prevention:

• The Diathesis-Stress Model guides mental health professionals in understanding how both biological
predispositions and environmental stressors contribute to the development of disorders.
• It informs interventions and prevention strategies, considering an individual's diathesis and stress exposure.

2. Limitations and Considerations:

• Not everyone with diathesis develops a mental health disorder, as protective factors like resilience, coping
skills, and social support can mitigate the impact of stressors.
• The model emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that considers both predispositions and environmental
influences in understanding and addressing mental health disorders.

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 Task Performance

• Understanding the relationship between stress and task performance is essential in managing stress to optimize
performance.
• Stress can significantly impact task performance in various ways, often affecting an individual's cognitive abilities,
emotions, and behavior.
• While moderate levels of stress can sometimes enhance performance; excessive or chronic stress tends to impair
cognitive functions and decrease productivity.

1. Effects of Stress on Task Performance:

• Cognitive Functioning: High stress can reduce attention span and impair concentration, leading to difficulties
in focusing on tasks.
• Performance Efficiency: High stress levels can reduce efficiency and increase the time taken to complete
tasks due to decreased focus and productivity.
• Emotional Regulation: Stress can lead to heightened emotional responses, affecting interactions with
colleagues or clients, potentially impacting teamwork and communication.

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 Task Performance
2. Yerkes-Dodson Law and Optimal Performance:

• The Yerkes-Dodson Law suggests that there is an optimal level of stress for performance.
• Some stress can enhance performance, referred to as "eustress," up to a certain point. However, excessive
stress can lead to decreased performance.
• The Yerkes-Dodson Law suggests an inverted U-shaped relationship between stress and performance.
• Low levels of stress might result in low performance due to lack of motivation, while moderate stress levels can enhance cognitive
functioning and performance. However, excessive stress leads to reduced cognitive abilities and performance decline.

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 Cognitive Functioning
• Stress has a profound impact on cognitive functioning, influencing various aspects of thinking, decision-making,
memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. The relationship between stress and cognitive functioning is
intricate, and understanding this connection is crucial as it significantly affects an individual's performance,
productivity, and overall well-being.

1. Effects of Stress on Cognitive Functioning:

• Attention and Concentration:

• Reduction in Focus: High stress levels can impair attention, reducing the ability to concentrate on
tasks/information.
• Increased Distractions: Stress often leads to heightened distractibility, making it challenging to maintain
attention on a specific task.

• Memory and Information Processing:

• Impaired Memory Retrieval: Stress can hinder the retrieval of stored information from memory, affecting
recall abilities.
• Reduced Information Processing: High stress interferes with cognitive processing, making it harder to
analyse and interpret information effectively.

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 Cognitive Functioning
• Decision Making and Problem Solving:
• Negative Impact on Decision Making: Stress can impair rational decision-making processes, leading to
impulsive or suboptimal choices.
• Decreased Problem-Solving Abilities: Under stress, individuals may struggle to evaluate situations
accurately, hindering effective problem-solving skills.

• Cognitive Flexibility and Creativity:

• Reduced Flexibility: Stress can limit cognitive flexibility, making it challenging to adapt to new
situations or switch between tasks efficiently.
• Inhibited Creativity: High stress levels can hinder creative thinking and innovative problem-solving due
to reduced cognitive resources allocated to generating novel ideas.

2. Physiological Mechanisms Impacting Cognitive Functioning:

• Stress Hormones:
• Impact of Cortisol: Elevated cortisol levels, can impair memory retrieval and cognitive performance
over prolonged periods.
• Effect on Neurotransmitters: Stress can affect neurotransmitter levels, impacting communication
between brain cells and cognitive functions.

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 Cognitive Functioning
• Prefrontal Cortex Function:

• Inhibition of Prefrontal Cortex: Chronic stress can impair prefrontal cortex function, which plays a
crucial role in decision-making, problem-solving, and regulating emotions.

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 Burnout and PTSD
• Stress, burnout, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are interconnected and share overlapping
characteristics, but they differ in terms of their causes, symptoms, and duration.
• Understanding their relationship provides insight into the progression from stress to burnout and, in severe cases,
to PTSD.
• Stress can lead to burnout if left unmanaged, and exposure to severe traumatic stressors can result in PTSD.
• Understanding the continuum from stress to burnout and potentially to PTSD highlights the importance of early
intervention, stress management, and appropriate support systems to prevent the progression to more severe
mental health conditions.
• Addressing stress effectively and providing adequate support can help mitigate the risk of burnout and reduce the
likelihood of developing PTSD.

1. Burnout:

• Definition:
• Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to
chronic stress, especially in work-related contexts.

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 Burnout and PTSD
• Characteristics:
• Develops gradually over time due to prolonged stress.
• Commonly seen in professions involving high demands/emotional involvement, such as healthcare or
social services.
• Symptoms include emotional exhaustion, reduced productivity, feelings of detachment, and cynicism.
• Burnout persists despite removing the stressor, requiring significant intervention and lifestyle changes
to recover.

2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

• Definition:
• PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event, causing intense
fear, helplessness, or horror.
• Characteristics:
• Arises from exposure to a traumatic event (e.g., combat, accidents, abuse).
• Symptoms include involuntary thoughts or memories of the event, avoidance of reminders, negative
mood changes, hyperarousal, and disruptions in daily life.
• PTSD can persist for months or years, significantly impairing an individual's ability to function.

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 Burnout and PTSD
3. Relationship between Stress, Burnout, and PTSD:

• Progression:

• Chronic stress can lead to burnout when an individual faces prolonged stressors without adequate
coping or recovery.
• In some cases, exposure to severe or traumatic stressors can trigger PTSD.

• Shared Symptoms:

• Symptoms of burnout, such as emotional exhaustion and reduced performance, can be similar to
symptoms of chronic stress;
• Some symptoms, like intrusive thoughts or hypervigilance, may be shared between PTSD and burnout
due to chronic stress.

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 Burnout and PTSD

• Severity and Duration:

• While stress is often short-term and linked to specific stressors, burnout is more prolonged and linked to
chronic stress
• PTSD is characterized by severe and enduring symptoms resulting from exposure to traumatic events

• Treatment and Management:

• Stress management techniques, lifestyle changes, and support can help manage stress and prevent
burnout
• Burnout may require more extensive interventions such as therapy, changes in work environment, and
lifestyle adjustments
• PTSD typically necessitates specialized mental health interventions, such as therapy, medication, and
trauma-focused treatments.

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 Psychological Problems and Disorders
• Psychological problems and disorders encompass a broad spectrum of conditions that affect mental health, emotions,
thoughts, and behaviors.
• These disorders can significantly impair daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. They vary in their
causes, symptoms, severity, and treatments.
• Understanding these psychological problems and disorders is crucial for early identification, intervention, and
appropriate treatment.
• Seeking professional help and support from mental health professionals is essential for managing and addressing these
conditions effectively.

• Here are some common psychological problems and disorders:

1. Anxiety Disorders: [Excessive and persistent feelings of worry, fear, etc.]

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Excessive worry and anxiety about various aspects of life.
• Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks characterized by intense fear and physical symptoms.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of social situations and interactions due to a fear of being judged or embarrassed.
• Phobias: Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations.

2. Mood Disorders: [Significant disturbances in mood]

• Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.
• Bipolar Disorder: Extreme mood swings; emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression); Periods of depression
alternating with periods of elevated mood (mania or hypomania).
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 Psychological Problems and Disorders
3. Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders:
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): After exposure to a traumatic event, leading to intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and
hyperarousal.
• Acute Stress Disorder: Similar to PTSD but occurs shortly after a traumatic event.

4. Psychotic Disorders: [Loss of contact with reality]

• Hallucinations (perceiving things that aren't there) and delusions (false beliefs).
• Schizophrenia: A severe mental disorder characterized by combination of hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and
impaired social functioning.

5. Eating Disorders: [disturbances in eating behavior, body image, and weight regulation]
• Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme fear of gaining weight, leading to restricted eating and unhealthy weight loss.
• Bulimia Nervosa: Cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging or excessive exercise.
• Binge Eating Disorder: Frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food without compensatory behaviors.

6. Personality Disorders: [enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate significantly
from cultural expectations]
• Borderline Personality Disorder: Intense and unstable relationships, emotions, self-image, and impulsive behaviors.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder: Disregard for others' rights and feelings, and a lack of empathy or guilt.

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 Psychological Problems and Disorders

7. Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive thoughts (obsessions) leading to repetitive behaviors
(compulsions) to alleviate anxiety.

• Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress
• Common obsessions include fears of contamination, harm to oneself or others

• Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to the obsessions to reduce
anxiety
• common compulsions include excessive cleaning, checking, or counting.

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 Positive Effects
• While stress is often perceived as negative due to its association with adverse effects on mental and physical
health, it's important to acknowledge that not all stress is harmful.
• Stress, when managed effectively, can have positive effects on well-being and mental health, referred as
"eustress."
• Consider stress as a challenge and opportunity for growth, coupled with effective coping strategies, can lead to
increased motivation, enhanced performance, personal growth, and greater resilience.

1. Positive Aspects of Stress for Well-being and Mental Health:

• Motivation and Performance Enhancement:

• Eustress can serve as a motivating factor, prompting individuals to take action and complete tasks or
goals.
• In moderate amounts, stress can enhance focus, attention, and performance, boosting productivity and
achievement.

• Personal Growth and Resilience:

• Dealing with manageable levels of stress can build resilience and adaptive coping skills.
• Overcoming challenges can foster personal growth, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.

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 Positive Effects

• Enhanced Cognitive Functioning:

• Eustress can stimulate cognitive functions, improving memory, problem-solving abilities, and creativity.
• Moderate stress can prompt individuals to think critically and find innovative solutions to problems.

• Emotional Regulation and Well-being:

• Some stressors can lead to positive emotional responses, such as excitement, anticipation, sense of
achievement.
• Experiencing manageable stress in social or challenging situations can facilitate emotion regulation and
social connection.

• Life Satisfaction and Sense of Purpose:

• Overcoming moderate stressors can contribute to a sense of fulfilment, leading to increased life
satisfaction and a stronger sense of purpose.
• Achieving goals during challenges can provide a sense of meaning and direction in life.

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 Positive Effects
2. Understanding the Role of Perception:

• Stress Perception:

• The way individuals perceive stressors significantly influences its impact on well-being.
• Viewing stress as a challenge rather than a threat can lead to a more positive response.
• Perceive stress as an opportunity for growth can change its impact on mental health.

• Moderation and Balance:

• The key to experiencing positive stress lies in moderation and balance.

• Too much stress overload coping abilities, while too little stress might lead to self-satisfaction.

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 Thank You…!!!

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