General adaptation syndrome (GAS) is a theory that describes the physiological changes the body experiences when under stress. The syndrome includes three ...Learn>WellnessWellnessGeneralAdaptationSyndromeandStressSource:Healthline,AmericanPsychologicalAssociationDoyoufindthishelpfulPrintShareSaveGeneraladaptationsyndrome(GAS)isatheorythatdescribesthephysiologicalchangesthebodyexperienceswhenunderstress.Thesyndromeincludesthreestages:thealarmstage,theresistancestage,andtheexhaustionstage.ThealarmstageThefirstGASstagecontainstwosubstages:Intheshockphase,bodytemperatureandbloodpressurebothdecrease.Lossoffluidfrombodytissuesalsooccurs.Inthecountershockphase,thebody’sfight-or-flightresponseistriggered.Heartrateandbloodpressureincreaseasstresshormonesandadrenalinearereleased.TheresistancestageFollowingthealarmstage,thebodybeginstorepairitself.Ifthestressfulsituationisresolved,thebodycontinuestorepairitselfuntilitreturnstoitspre-stressstate.Ifthestressfulsituationisnotresolved,thebodyremainsonhighalert,eventuallyadaptingtothehigherstresslevel.Stresshormonesandbloodpressureremainelevated.Thiscanleadtohypertensionandheartproblemsaswellasirritability,frustration,andpoorconcentration.TheexhaustionstageThisstageoccursduringprolongedorchronicstresswhenthebody’sadaptationtohigherstresslevelsstartstobreakdown.Thebodynolongerhasthestrengthorresourcestofightthestress.Signsoftheexhaustionstageinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:TroublesleepingSeverelossofconcentrationFatigueDepressedmoodTremblingorjumpinessAnxietyattacksCryingspellsStress-relatedillnessesForshort-termormildstressors,thealarmstageisnotharmful.Itisanaturalmechanismthatisdesignedtoprotectthebodyfromdanger.However,whenprolongedorchronicstressisexperienced,thebodymaynotbeabletorepairitselfinatimelymanner,whichcanleadtotheexhaustionstage.UnderstandingthestagesofGAScanhelpwiththeidentificationofpersonalstresssignals,whichcanhelpwiththereductionofstresslevels.Didyoufindthishelpful?YesNoTopicsStressManagementWellnessYoum