The General Adaptation Syndrome Response Includes
The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a theory developed by the Hungarian endocrinologist Hans Selye in the 1930s that explains how the body responds to stress. The GAS model proposes that the body has a natural response to stress that involves a series of
physiological and psychological changes. Selye suggested that the body's response to stress can be divided into three stages: the alarm stage, the resistance stage, and the exhaustion stage. Each of these stages plays a critical role in the body's ability to cope with stress and adapt to changing conditions.
In this essay, we will explore the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome and the physiological and psychological changes that occur during each stage.
Stage 1: Alarm
The first stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome is the alarm stage. This stage is characterized by the body's immediate reaction to stress. When an individual encounters a stressor, the body initiates a series of responses that prepare it to cope with the stressor. The body's immediate response to stress involves the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones help to activate the body's fight-or-flight response, which prepares the body to either face the stressor head-on or flee from it.
During the alarm stage, the body's sympathetic nervous system becomes activated. This causes several physiological changes to occur, including an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, and dilation of the pupils. These changes allow the body to increase its oxygen supply, enhance its visual and auditory acuity, and prepare for physical exertion. In addition to these changes, the body also releases glucose into the bloodstream, which provides energy to the body's muscles.
At the psychological level, the alarm stage is characterized by feelings of anxiety, fear, and panic. These emotions are a natural response to the stressor and can help to prepare the individual to take action. The alarm stage is relatively short-lived and lasts only for a few minutes to a few hours. If the stressor persists, the body moves on to the next stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome.
Stage 2: Resistance
The second stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome is the resistance stage. During this stage, the body tries to cope with the ongoing stressor. The resistance stage can last for several weeks or even months, depending on the nature and severity of the stressor. In this stage, the body tries to adapt to the stressor and restore homeostasis. The body does this by releasing additional hormones, including cortisol, which helps to regulate the body's response to stress.
During the resistance stage, the body's parasympathetic nervous system becomes activated, which helps to restore the body to a more relaxed state. This is characterized by a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, slower breathing, and a reduction in the dilation of the pupils. The body also stops releasing glucose into the bloodstream, which helps to conserve energy.
At the psychological level, the resistance stage is characterized by a reduction in the intense emotions experienced during the alarm stage. The individual may feel more focused and determined to deal with the stressor. However, if the stressor persists, the body can eventually move on to the third and final stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome.
Stage 3: Exhaustion
The third and final stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome is the exhaustion stage. This stage occurs when the body has been unable to cope with the ongoing stressor, and the body's resources are depleted. During the exhaustion stage, the body's ability to cope with stress is greatly reduced, and the individual may experience physical and psychological symptoms of stress.
Physiologically, the exhaustion stage is characterized by a decrease in the body's ability to regulate its response to stress. Hormones such as cortisol