Stress: Impact on Health and Coping Mechanisms
Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Hans Selye studied stress in rats and developed the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), a three-part theory of stress:
- Alarm: A stressor is recognized, triggering a physical reaction.
- Resistance: The body adapts to the stressor.
- Exhaustion: Long-term stress depletes the body’s resources.
The Immune System and Stress
The immune system comprises:
- Lymphocytes (white blood cells)
- Natural killer cells (NK cells)
Immune function is measured by:
- Counting white blood
Understanding Mental Disorders: Causes and Types
Causes of Mental Disorders
Various theories attempt to explain the origins of mental disorders:
- Psychoanalysis and related theories: These theories suggest that mental disorders express unconscious conflicts, often stemming from trauma experienced in childhood.
- Behaviorism and cognitive psychology: These perspectives propose that mental disorders are acquired through learning processes, leading to inappropriate interpretations or behaviors.
- Biologically inspired theories: These emphasize genetic and
Mental Health Conditions and Patient Care
Mental Clouding
Mental clouding disorders awareness: Usually caused by an organic disorder affecting the brain and psychic sphere.
Stupor
Apparently not as deep as a coma and with no neurological deficits.
Qualitative Disorders of Awareness
Delirium
Disturbances in deep consciousness occur.
Oniroid States
Disorientation and confusion.
Crepuscular State
Spatiotemporal disorientation and automatic acts.
Disorders of Orientation
Alopsychic
Orientation of the self in space and time coordinates.
Autopsychic
Orientation
Read MoreCriminological Protocols: Structure, Types, and Evaluation
Criminological Protocol: Structure and Types
The Crime’s Disappearance and Relocation
Apparently, the crime disappears from the area but can travel to other nearby areas where there has been no improvement.
Structure of a Criminological Protocol: Phases Explained
A criminological protocol is divided into five parts:
1. Demand Received
First, one must proceed to identify the requesting party. Sometimes the demands are not explicit, so one must discern from the application what is really being asked. Once
Read MoreUnderstanding Sociology: Principles, Perspectives, and Social Action
What is Sociology?
Sociology offers a unique approach to understanding reality by encouraging us to question established norms and assumptions. It provides tools and information that prompt reflection on aspects of life we often take for granted.
Three fundamental principles of sociology:
- Things are the way they are, not necessarily the way we wish them to be.
- Things are not always what they seem; appearances can be deceptive.
- Things are not fixed; they can change over time.
Key principles of sociology:
Read MoreUnderstanding Science: Definitions, Perception, and Factors
What is Science?
We will explore different meanings of science:
Meaning: Vulgar Synonym
Science is often used as a synonym for “know-how.”
Science as Hypothetical Deductive Model
Science, according to Aristotle, involves deducing a conclusion from premises. A scientist, in this view, makes deductions from a universal premise (universal hypothesis). While this model prevailed from Aristotle’s time (3rd century) to the 15th or 16th century (Galileo), it has a critical flaw: if the premises are false, the
Read More