Understanding Stress, Trauma, and Mental Health

Posted on Apr 25, 2025 in Psychology

Stress Responses

The stress response begins when an individual perceives a stressor or threat.

What Happens in the Body

The hypothalamus activates, and the sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of stress hormones.

Basis of Stress Response

  1. Mobilization of energy
  2. Inhibition of non-essential functions
  3. Cortisol release
  4. Return to homeostasis
  5. Recovery and adaptation

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

  • Alarm stage: The initial reaction to a stressor. The body’s “fight, flight, or freeze” response is activated.
  • Resistance stage: If the stressor persists or if additional stressors occur, the body continues to adapt to the stressor.
  • Exhaustion stage: If the stressor persists for an extended period or if the body’s resources are depleted due to chronic stress.

Transactional Model of Stress & Coping

  • Primary appraisal: When individuals encounter a potential stressor. This involves assessing the significance of the stressor: threat, challenge, or irrelevant appraisal.
  • Secondary appraisal: Involves evaluating their coping resources and strategies to manage the stressor. Coping strategies can be problem-focused or emotion-focused.

Trauma

Refers to the emotional and psychological response to a distressing event or series of deeply disturbing and overwhelming events.

Trauma and the Brain

  • The amygdala can become hyperactive, leading to heightened emotional reactivity and anxiety.
  • Traumatic experiences can impair the functioning of the hippocampus, making it difficult for individuals to process and integrate traumatic memories.
  • Trauma can weaken the connections between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, leading to difficulties in emotional regulation and impulse control.
  • Trauma can also affect neurotransmitter systems in the brain.
  • Serotonin helps us to maintain emotional equilibrium and a sense of overall well-being.
  • Dopamine plays a role in pleasure, reward, motivation, and reinforcement.

Alterations in Brain Structure

The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex may shrink, while the amygdala may enlarge.

Types of Trauma

  1. Physical trauma
  2. Psychological trauma
  3. Sexual trauma
  4. Childhood trauma
  5. Complex trauma
  6. Cultural or collective trauma
  7. Vicarious trauma

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced trauma.

PTSD Symptoms

  • Spontaneous or cued recurrent, distressing memories
  • Recurrent distressing dreams
  • Flashbacks or other dissociative reactions
  • Intense or prolonged psychological distress
  • Physiological reactions

Violence

A broad term that refers to the use of physical force or the threat of physical force to cause harm, damage, or injury to individuals, groups, or property.

Types of Violence

  1. Physical violence
  2. Sexual violence
  3. Emotional or psychological violence
  4. Structural violence
  5. Verbal violence
  6. Domestic violence
  7. Community violence
  8. Collective violence

Trauma & Violence Informed Principles

  1. Safety
  2. Trustworthiness
  3. Choice
  4. Collaboration
  5. Empowerment

Mental Health

Refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and it encompasses their ability to handle stress, maintain positive relationships, work productively, and make choices.

Biological Factors

Certain mental health disorders have a genetic predisposition, and neurotransmitter imbalances.

Psychological Factors

Self-esteem, coping strategies, personality traits, the ability to manage stress.

Social Factors

Social environments and interactions with others, family dynamics, peer relationships, support systems, the presence of social stressors such as bullying or discrimination.

Environmental Factors

Access to healthcare, economic stability, living conditions, exposure to toxins, community safety, poverty and financial difficulties, exposure to traumatic events.

Common Mental Health Disorders

  1. Depression
  2. Anxiety disorders
  3. Bipolar disorders
  4. Schizophrenia
  5. Eating disorders
  6. OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
  7. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  8. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Phobias

A type of anxiety disorder characterized by intense and irrational fears of particular objects or situations.

Phobia Symptoms

  1. Avoidance behaviour
  2. Physical and emotional reactions
  3. Onset and duration

Stigma and Resilience

ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to pay attention, control impulses, and manage hyperactivity. It’s a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors.

ADHD Key Symptoms

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Inattention Symptoms

  1. Difficulty sustaining attention
  2. Difficulty organizing tasks
  3. Avoidance of tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  4. Frequent careless mistakes
  5. Losing things
  6. Forgetfulness in daily activities

Hyperactivity Symptoms

  1. Excessive motor activity
  2. Inability to stay seated
  3. Talkativeness

Impulsivity Symptoms

  1. Impatient and difficulty waiting
  2. Difficulty with self-control
  3. Blurting out answers
  4. Intrusion in games or activities

Stigma Associated with Mental Disorders

Refers to the negative attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes, and discrimination that individuals with mental health conditions often experience from others in society.

Consequences of Stigma

  1. Prejudice
  2. Discrimination
  3. Social isolation
  4. Self-stigma
  5. Barriers to treatment
  6. Underreporting
  7. Lack of support

Resilience

The ability to bounce back from adversity and adapt positively to life’s challenges. Resilience is not about being unaffected by trauma but about coping and thriving despite it.