{"id":223,"date":"2016-07-15T20:28:11","date_gmt":"2016-07-15T20:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-monroecc-hed110\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=223"},"modified":"2017-02-28T18:25:29","modified_gmt":"2017-02-28T18:25:29","slug":"general-adaptation-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-monroecc-hed110\/chapter\/general-adaptation-syndrome\/","title":{"raw":"The Stress Response","rendered":"The Stress Response"},"content":{"raw":"The <b>fight-or-flight response<\/b> (also called the <b>stress response<\/b>) is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived threat or danger.\u00a0 This enables the body to take action quickly, and is intended to keep us out of (physical) harm's way.\u00a0 Unfortunately for our health, this response also occurs when we are not in any immediate physical danger, but are still experiencing stress.\u00a0 For example, this can happen when someone is running late for an appointment or class, and is feeling stressed about trying to get there.\r\n\r\nThe physical changes that occur during this response can cause wear and tear within the body if the perception of stress persists.\u00a0 Here are a few examples of such bodily changes:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Heart rate increases<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Blood pressure increases<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Blood sugar (i.e. glucose) levels rise<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Respiration rate increases<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Muscles tense up<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Perspiration increases<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pupils dilate<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nFor additional information about how these physiological changes occur, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.apa.org\/helpcenter\/stress-body.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">click here to read more.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\nThe fight-or-flight response is also recognized as the first stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome.\r\n<h2>General Adaptation Syndrome<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"525\"]<img class=\"mw-mmv-final-image jpg mw-mmv-dialog-is-open\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/c\/cc\/General_Adaptation_Syndrome.jpg\/800px-General_Adaptation_Syndrome.jpg\" width=\"525\" height=\"383\" \/> Stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Homeostasis<\/strong> is a state of physiological calmness or balance, and occurs when our bodily functions are running smoothly in conjunction with low stress levels.\u00a0 When exposed to stressors, this causes an imbalance to occur as the body responds to the perceived threat, and then tries to return to normal functioning.\r\n\r\nThe <strong>general adaptation syndrome (GAS)<\/strong>, developed by Hans Selye, describes the pattern of responses that the body goes through after being prompted by a stressor.\u00a0 There are three stages:\u00a0 alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Alarm<\/strong> - This occurs when we first perceive something as stressful, and then the body initiates the fight-or-flight response (as discussed earlier).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Resistance<\/strong> - If the perceived stress continues, the body stays activated at a higher metabolic level in an effort to offset the persistent stress.\u00a0 The body cannot maintain this level indefinitely, and its resources will eventually deplete.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Exhaustion<\/strong> - Prolonged exposure to the stressor will result in the depletion of the body's resources, and the resulting wear and tear will suppress the immune system and cause bodily functions to deteriorate.\u00a0 This can lead to a variety of health issues and illnesses, including heart disease, digestive problems, depression, and diabetes.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThese changes will occur in the body regardless of whether the perceived stressor is considered eustress (positive or pleasant) or distress (negative or unpleasant).\u00a0 Ultimately, this means that we need to take active steps in managing all of our stressors, as it can build up and potentially cause harm to our health otherwise.\r\n<h2 id=\"toc21\"><!-- ws:end:WikiTextHeadingRule:42 --><\/h2>\r\n<!-- ws:start:WikiTextHeadingRule:44:&lt;h3&gt; -->","rendered":"<p>The <b>fight-or-flight response<\/b> (also called the <b>stress response<\/b>) is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived threat or danger.\u00a0 This enables the body to take action quickly, and is intended to keep us out of (physical) harm&#8217;s way.\u00a0 Unfortunately for our health, this response also occurs when we are not in any immediate physical danger, but are still experiencing stress.\u00a0 For example, this can happen when someone is running late for an appointment or class, and is feeling stressed about trying to get there.<\/p>\n<p>The physical changes that occur during this response can cause wear and tear within the body if the perception of stress persists.\u00a0 Here are a few examples of such bodily changes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Heart rate increases<\/li>\n<li>Blood pressure increases<\/li>\n<li>Blood sugar (i.e. glucose) levels rise<\/li>\n<li>Respiration rate increases<\/li>\n<li>Muscles tense up<\/li>\n<li>Perspiration increases<\/li>\n<li>Pupils dilate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For additional information about how these physiological changes occur, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.apa.org\/helpcenter\/stress-body.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">click here to read more.<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>The fight-or-flight response is also recognized as the first stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome.<\/p>\n<h2>General Adaptation Syndrome<\/h2>\n<div style=\"width: 535px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mw-mmv-final-image jpg mw-mmv-dialog-is-open\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/c\/cc\/General_Adaptation_Syndrome.jpg\/800px-General_Adaptation_Syndrome.jpg\" width=\"525\" height=\"383\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Homeostasis<\/strong> is a state of physiological calmness or balance, and occurs when our bodily functions are running smoothly in conjunction with low stress levels.\u00a0 When exposed to stressors, this causes an imbalance to occur as the body responds to the perceived threat, and then tries to return to normal functioning.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>general adaptation syndrome (GAS)<\/strong>, developed by Hans Selye, describes the pattern of responses that the body goes through after being prompted by a stressor.\u00a0 There are three stages:\u00a0 alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alarm<\/strong> &#8211; This occurs when we first perceive something as stressful, and then the body initiates the fight-or-flight response (as discussed earlier).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Resistance<\/strong> &#8211; If the perceived stress continues, the body stays activated at a higher metabolic level in an effort to offset the persistent stress.\u00a0 The body cannot maintain this level indefinitely, and its resources will eventually deplete.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exhaustion<\/strong> &#8211; Prolonged exposure to the stressor will result in the depletion of the body&#8217;s resources, and the resulting wear and tear will suppress the immune system and cause bodily functions to deteriorate.\u00a0 This can lead to a variety of health issues and illnesses, including heart disease, digestive problems, depression, and diabetes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These changes will occur in the body regardless of whether the perceived stressor is considered eustress (positive or pleasant) or distress (negative or unpleasant).\u00a0 Ultimately, this means that we need to take active steps in managing all of our stressors, as it can build up and potentially cause harm to our health otherwise.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"toc21\"><!-- ws:end:WikiTextHeadingRule:42 --><\/h2>\n<p><!-- ws:start:WikiTextHeadingRule:44:&lt;h3&gt; --><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-223\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Diagram of the General Adaptation Syndrome. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: David G. Myers - Exploring Psychology 7th ed. (Worth) page 398. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stress_(biology)#\/media\/File:General_Adaptation_Syndrome.jpg\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stress_(biology)#\/media\/File:General_Adaptation_Syndrome.jpg<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>The Stress Response. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Boundless. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boundless.com\/physiology\/textbooks\/boundless-anatomy-and-physiology-textbook\/endocrine-system-16\/stress-161\/the-fight-or-flight-response-806-5244\/\">https:\/\/www.boundless.com\/physiology\/textbooks\/boundless-anatomy-and-physiology-textbook\/endocrine-system-16\/stress-161\/the-fight-or-flight-response-806-5244\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":375,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"{\"0\":{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Diagram of the General Adaptation Syndrome\",\"author\":\"David G. 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