The psychological coping mechanisms are commonly termed "coping strategies" or "coping skills". The term "coping" generally refers to adaptive (constructive) coping strategies, that is, strategies which reduce stress. In contrast, other coping strategies may be coined as maladaptive, if they increase stress. Maladaptive coping is therefore also described, based on its outcome, as non-coping. Furthermore, the term coping generally refers to "reactive coping", i.e. the coping response which follows the stressor. This differs from "proactive coping", in which a coping response aims to neutralize a future stressor. Subconscious or unconscious strategies (e.g. defense mechanisms) are generally excluded from the area of coping.