Frustration, Conflict, Stress, and Drugs

Prevented from reaching goals

Have you ever felt conflicted over a decision? Have you ever felt like what you should do (cultural influences) are contrary to what you want to do?

Approach-approach conflict: occurs when you must choose between two desirable outcomes

Avoidance-avoidance conflict: occurs when you must choose between two unattractive outcomes

Approach-avoidance: occurs when one event has both attractive and unattractive features

Multiple approach-avoidance conflicts: occurs when you must choose between two or more things (both desirable and undesirable features)

Due to increased frustration, can’t resolve conflict

Feeling of helplessnessSevere anxiety – rapid heartbeat, fatigue,

breathlessness, chest pains, dizziness, fainting, feeling of doom, and headaches

Eustress DistressA.Physical changes with stress

1. Fight or flight2. Stress hormone adrenal gland

B.Examine stressA. Holmes & Rahe, life change and stressB. Social Readjustment Rating Scale p. 450C. Pushing too hard – stress/healthD. Personal attitude – not caring about what

others think

Stress & PersonalityUnrelieved tension – speak out when things

really matter (balance of “venting” and “acting”)

Personality TypesType A – aggressive, impatient, high-achieving,

organized, ambitious, multi-taskingType B – flexible, low stress levels, relaxed, open to

change

General Adaptation Syndrome – too much stress can lead to collapseAlarm reaction – preparing for emergency

(psychological/physical signs)Resistance – trying to resist emergency or stress,

desire to restore balanceExhaustion – if stress doesn’t let up, we quit

Chemical make-up of drugs similar to that of chemicals already in nerve cells. When we take in a drug, it mimics or blocks naturally occurring neurotransmitters in the brain.

Tolerance, withdrawal, dependence

AlcoholChemical effects: depressant/antianxietyPhysical effects: alcohol withdrawal,

hallucinations (REM rebound)Synergistic Effect – mixing drugs can be fatalSlows down brain processesAffects cerebellum and motor coordinationCategorized as depressant because of its effect

on our nervous system – some think it is energizing (due to expectations, lowers inhibitions)

Causes of alcoholismHeredity?Environment?

Indicators – Frequent drinking, drunk 1+ times a weekIncrease of amount consumed in a sittingMorning drinkingGoing to school/work drunkBlackoutsDrinking during crises

Concerns - AA

Marijuana (Why d’ya wanna)HallucinogensEffects receptors in brain that control pleasure,

memory, thoughts, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement

can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory

Effects on male fetus – sex characteristics

Amphetamines – effects dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephran StimulantFeeling of excitement, freedom, energyTolerance develops quicklyParanoia – thinking others are out to get you

CocaineHallucinations, mental confusion, paranoiaPotent – easily absorbed in lungs when smoked

and enters brain through blood streamPsychological dependence/addiction

Opiates – Heroin, morphine, opiumPain killers, and mood elevatorsSedatives, depress nerve operations in brainMakes one feel good at first, then crash into a

depressionPhysical dependence (body craves it, not just

psyche)Most physically addicting because they rapidly

change brain chemistry and create tolerance and withdrawal symptoms

LSD – Change perceptions of reality, sensory

hallucinations, loss of identity, vivid fantasiesSome amount can remain in body for weeks,

Steroids – are male sex hormonesHope to increase body size, muscle, strengthAffects emotions, unrealistic sense of

power/agression

In 2006, suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.1 Of every 100,000 young people in each age group, the following number died by suicide:1

Children ages 10 to 14 — 1.3 per 100,000Adolescents ages 15 to 19 — 8.2 per 100,000Young adults ages 20 to 24 — 12.5 per 100,000

Loss of friends, substance abuse, conflicts with family, low self-esteem,

Overcoming substance abuseSupportProgramsCommitment, intrinsic motivationDo not give up

http://hitchwriter.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/wine20tasting.jpg

http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml#factors