3.3.6. General Adaptation Syndrome

What happens to the body when stress is prolonged? Selye studied this issue by subjecting animals to a variety of stressors such as high temperature, X-rays and insulin injections, in the laboratory over a long period of time. He also observed patients with various injuries and illnesses in hospitals. Selye noticed a similar pattern of bodily response in all of them. He called this pattern the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) refers to a three-stage process that describes how the body reacts to stress over time. Hans Selye, a pioneering researcher, discovered this model while observing reactions in animals and patients under stress. The three stages are: Alarm Reaction, Resistance, and Exhaustion. Understanding these stages helps us see how stress affects our body physically and mentally, showing that our body has a standardized response to any stressor.

Imagine if a firefighter is called to a blaze. Initially, there's a rush of adrenaline (Alarm Reaction) that prepares them to fight the fire. If the fire continues for a long time, they find ways to manage the situation (Resistance)—maybe implementing strategies to control and tame the flames. However, if the fire is persistent and resources are drained, the firefighter starts to feel overwhelmed and exhausted (Exhaustion), making it more difficult to respond effectively.

According to him, GAS involves three stages: 1. Alarm reaction stage: The presence of a noxious stimulus or stressor leads to activation of the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system. This triggers the release of hormones producing the stress response. Now the individual is ready for fight or flight. 2. Resistance stage: If stress is prolonged, the resistance stage begins. The parasympathetic nervous system calls for more cautious use of the body's resources. The organism makes efforts to cope with the threat, as through confrontation. 3. Exhaustion stage: Continued exposure to the same stressor or additional stressors drains the body of its resources and leads to the third stage of exhaustion. The physiological systems involved in alarm reaction and resistance become ineffective and susceptibility to stress-related diseases such as high blood pressure becomes more likely.

The GAS outlines how stress affects us over time through three clear phases. 1. In the Alarm Reaction stage, our body reacts immediately to stressors, prepared to face danger or escape. 2. The Resistance stage focuses on maintaining body functions under stress, where we adapt to the ongoing stressor. 3. Finally, the Exhaustion stage describes the breakdown of those functions, as continuous stress overwhelms our physical and mental resources, leading to fatigue and increased vulnerability to illnesses.

Consider how a student studying for final exams reacts. Initially, during the Alarm Reaction, they feel energized, alert, and focused. As they keep studying for long hours (Resistance), they learn to manage their time, but eventually, if the studying continues without breaks or help, they may enter Exhaustion, feeling burnt out and unable to retain information, ultimately affecting their health and academic performance.

Selye's model has been criticised for assigning a very limited role to psychological factors in stress. Researchers have reported that the psychological appraisal of events is important for the determination of stress. How people respond to stress is substantially influenced by their perceptions, personalities and biological constitutions.

While Selye's GAS model highlights the physical responses of stress, it has been critiqued for not taking into account individual differences in perception and coping. The context in which stressors are encountered and individual experiences significantly affect our responses. This means that not everyone reacts to the same stressor in the same way—our backgrounds and mental states play important roles.

Think of how different people might react to the same job interview. One person might view it as an exciting challenge (leading to positive stress), while another may see it as a threatening situation, causing panic and anxiety. Their differing perceptions illustrate how the psychological aspect of stress can influence outcomes beyond the physiological responses described by Selye.

Stress can cause illness by impairing the workings of the immune system. The immune system guards the body against attackers, both from within and outside. Psychoneuroimmunology focuses on the links between the mind, the brain and the immune system. It studies the effects of stress on the immune system.

The relationship between stress and health is critical, as prolonged stress can weaken our immune system, making us more susceptible to diseases. Psychoneuroimmunology studies this link by examining how stress signals from the brain affect immune responses in the body. The body's ability to fight off infections is impacted by our stress levels, illustrating the importance of managing stress to maintain overall health.

Imagine a soldier in a combat zone. High levels of stress can weaken their body’s defenses, making it easier for them to get sick despite basic health. A similar concept applies to anyone experiencing chronic stress; they might notice they catch colds more easily or experience flare-ups of existing health issues when under pressure. This emphasizes the need for stress management practices to keep our immune system strong.

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