1. Definition: Stress
Management
Strategies put in place
either by professionals or
individuals to reduce stress
levels. Dealing with
stress
Psychological
Stress inoculation
training
Physiological
Anti-anxiety drugs
& beta-blockers

2. Drug Treatments for Stress

3. Anti-Anxiety drugs
You know
these
already!
Benzodiazepines
e.g. Librium, Valium
•Slows down the activity of the
CNS
•Works on GABA
Enhances activity of GABA (natural sedative), quietening effect on body
BZ’s bind to special sites on the GABA receptor – boosting the activity of
GABA
BZ’s reduce increased serotonin levels

4. Beta-Blockers
Stress
increases
arousal of
SNS
Beta-blockers aim to reduce
the activity of adrenaline
and noradrenalin
Bind to receptors on the heart & other parts of the body
Block the receptors – making it harder to stimulate the cells = reduced HR
BP falls, person feels calmer and less anxious

5. Drug treatments – A02
P
• Drug treatments are effective
E
• Kahn et al (1986) found that BZ’s are significantly
superior to placebos in treating symptoms of anxiety –
caused by stress
E
• This suggests that drug treatments are an effective
way of treating the negative effects of stress that
individual experience in everyday life
E
• This is a strength because as physiological/biological
treatments of stress can be just as effective as
psychological treatments

6. Drug treatments – A02
P
• Drug treatments have negative side effects
E
• e.g. Patients taking medication for stress have
reported drowsiness, tiredness, dry mouth, blurred
vision, irregular heartbeat
E
• This means that drug treatments may have a number
of unintended effects on patients and may actually
cause them more harm than good
E
• This is a weakness because it can be seen that other
treatments may be more effective at elevating the
negative symptoms of stress

7. Drug treatments – A02
P
• Drugs treatments can be criticised for treating
the symptoms not the cause
E
• e.g. Drug treatments will only remove the negative
symptoms associated with stress – they do not help the
individual deal with the stressor
E
• This means that although drug treatments will temporarily remove
negative symptoms, the symptoms will return once the drug wears off
because the stressor is probably still present
E
• This is a weakness because in cases of chronic stress it may not be
appropriate to put a temporary ‘bandage’ on the problem, so it may
be preferable to seek a treatment to deal with the problem.