What model is comprised of three elements or phases which describe the bodys response to stress?
|
Discover 25 more articles on this topic Show
This quotation clearly summarizes his belief on how stress affects the human body through aging and other natural body processes that occur as we encounter various stressors in our daily lives.  The Observations by SelyeIn his studies, Selye noticed that the body has been adapting to external stressors in terms of a biological pattern that is actually predictable, so that the internal balance, or homeostasis, would be restored and maintained. In its attempt to retain homeostasis, the body makes use of its hormonal system, also known as the fight or flight response. With this response, you would notice how the body wants things to be resolved fast and easy, that’s why it already resorts to releasing hormones that would enable you to combat stress in the most immediate way possible. This struggle of the body against stress is the main theme of the General Adaptation Syndrome. Another observation that Selye discovered was that even if one’s body wants to control or reduce the stress, it still has its limits. The limited supply of body’s energy to adapt to the stressful environment is even more compromised when the body is exposed to the stressor continuously. Three Phases of Stress ResponseThe General Adaptation Syndrome is a model that is comprised of three elements or phases which describe the body’s response to stress: 1. Alarm StageIn this phase, the initial reaction of the body to stress is that it labels the stressor as a threat or danger to balance,that is why it immediately activates its fight or flight response system, and releases the “stress” hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. These hormones enable you to perform activities that you don’t usually do. For instance, when one’s house is on fire, his body shifts to the alarm stage, his stress hormones released (particularly adrenaline) and then he lifts a very heavy appliance outside the burning house. But there’s a catch – your blood pressure starts to rise after a minute or less, which can predispose you to damage of the brain and heart’s blood vessels, putting you at risk to stroke or heart attack. The muscles you’ve utilized might also become painful due to tissue damage. 2. Resistance StageAfter the body has responded to the stressor, it is more likely that the stress level has been eradicated, or simply reduced. What happens next to the fight or flight response is that you body’s defences become weaker, as it needs to allocate energy to the repair of damaged muscle tissues and lower the production of the stress hormones. Although the body has shifted to this second phase of stress response, it remains on-guard, particularly when the stressors persist and the body is required to fight them continuously, although not as stronger as it could during the initial response. 3. Exhaustion StageDuring this phase, the stress has been persistent for a longer period. The body starts to lose its ability to combat the stressors and reduce their harmful impact because the adaptive energy is all drained out. The exhaustion stage can be referred to as the gate towards burnout or stress overload, which can lead to health problems if not resolved immediately. All in all, the General Adaptation Syndrome model by Hans Selye presents a clear biological explanation of how the body responds and adapts to stress. What Is General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?General Adaptation SyndromeGeneral adaptation syndrome (GAS) is a description of the process of how your body responds to stress. The phenomenon was first identified by a scientist named Hans Selye in 1946. The easiest way to understand GAS is to view it as the different stages of stress and how your body reacts at each stage. GAS occurs in three stages, and each stage is characterized by a unique set of physiological changes that your body undergoes. Stages of General Adaptation SyndromeGeneral adaptation syndrome occurs in three stages. In each of these stages, your body reacts in different ways. The physiological changes your body goes through during this process can have a long-term negative effect. Below are the three stages of GAS explained. Alarm Reaction StageThis is the first stage of general adaptation syndrome. During this stage, your body sends a distress signal to your brain. Your brain responds by sending a message to the body releasing hormones called glucocorticoids and adrenaline; these are also known as your “fight or flight” hormones. During the alarm reaction stage, you’ll also experience elevated blood pressure and heart rate levels. Resistance StageThe resistance stage occurs after the reaction stage. During this stage, your body tries to thwart the changes that occurred during the reaction stage employing the parasympathetic nervous system. It typically occurs when whatever was triggering your stress has stopped. If you remain stressed, the reaction stage will persist. In the resistance stage, your body begins to lower your blood pressure and heart rate. It also reduces the amount of adrenaline and cortisol being produced. Your body, however, remains on alert in this stage and can easily switch back to the reaction stage if the stressor persists. At this stage, your body is simply trying to recover from the shock of the alarm reaction stage. Exhaustion StageStress puts your body through a toll, and the exhaustion stage occurs after prolonged stress. You experience this stage after your body has gone through an extended period of stress. Here, even if the stressor persists, your body is too depleted to continue to combat it. This is the riskiest stage of general adaptation syndrome, as you are most prone to developing health conditions here. Signs of General Adaptation SyndromeDuring each of the three stages of general adaptation syndrome, your body exhibits different signs. Alarm Reaction StageDuring the reaction stage, your body reacts in the following ways.
Resistance StageIf there is persistent stress, in the resistance stage your body may exhibit the following:
Exhaustion StageThe exhaustion stage leaves your body feeling unequipped to ward off stress. You are susceptible to developing stress-related conditions at this stage. Your body might exhibit the following symptoms:
Identifying General Adaptation SyndromeHans Selye, a researcher, and scientist came up with the concept of general adaptation syndrome. He used the term to define the physical changes the body goes through when it's stressed. He discovered this while experimenting on lab rats. In his study, he noticed that the rats went through specific psychological changes during the experiment when exposed to physical stressors like extreme temperatures. However, many other things could also trigger stress and they include:
Stress is responsible for general adaptation syndrome occurring. Although Hans Selye has only identified physical stressors in his initial experiment, any type of stress could cause GAS to occur. During the first stage of general adaptation syndrome, your body goes into
“fight or flight” mode. This mode is essential to protect yourself during a stressful or dangerous situation. You get a burst of energy that helps you think more critically and help effectively tackle the stressful situation at hand. Complications Associated With General Adaptation SyndromeWhile general adaptation syndrome isn’t a condition that needs to be diagnosed or treated, it’s primarily a description of what happens to your body under stress. Being in a stressful state for an extended period can cause medical complications. You could develop a host of physical and medical conditions. Some of the most common conditions that have been linked to experiencing prolonged levels of either physical or mental stress include:
Managing General Adaptation SyndromeFinding ways to cope with prolonged stress will help prevent your body from going into the exhaustion stage. The exhaustion stage is the riskiest stage of general adaptation syndrome. During this stage, your immune system is weakened, and you are at an increased risk of developing health conditions such as high blood pressure, strokes, and heart diseases. There’s no one way to manage stress. You’ll have to identify your stressors and attempt to get rid of them or minimize them. A few tested and tried techniques people have used to manage stress for centuries include:
By
Toketemu Ohwovoriole Thanks for your feedback! What are the three phases of the stress response?There are three stages to stress: the alarm stage, the resistance stage and the exhaustion stage.
What is Selye's theory of stress?Selye theorized that overexposing the body to stress would cause what he called “general adaptation syndrome,” which could lead to shock, alarm and eventually exhaustion.
What are the 3 phases of general adaptation syndrome?General adaption syndrome, consisting of three stages: (1) alarm, (2) resistance, and (3) exhaustion. Alarm, fight or flight, is the immediate response of the body to 'perceived' stress.
|
