How the Body Reacts to Stress (2024)

General adaptation syndrome (GAS) describes the physiologic changes your body goes through as it responds to stress.These changes occur in stages:

• An alarm reaction (also called fight-or-flight)
• A resistance phase (in which your body recovers)
• A period of exhaustion

Enduring stress has physical and mental effects on the body. And the more your body goes through the stages of general adaptation, the greater the risk of long-lasting negative effects.

This article will help you better understand GAS and how it is triggered to help you reduce your stress.

The 3 Stages of General Adaptation Syndrome

General adaptation syndrome was first described by Hans Selye in 1936, but it wasn't until the 1950s that his research defined the three stages of GAS:

• Alarm reaction
• Resistance
• Exhaustion

Alarm Reaction Stage

The alarm reaction stage of general adaptation syndrome is the body’s initial response to stress. The sympathetic nervous system is activated by the sudden release of hormones. You may better know this stage as the fight-or-flight response.

The sympathetic nervous system is a part of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the functions of your heart, stomach, bladder, and intestines, as well as your muscles. You are not aware that this system is working because it automatically responds to stimuli.

When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it stimulates the adrenal glands. The glands, in turn, trigger the release of certain hormones, including adrenaline and noradrenaline.

The hormone release causes physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

According to Selye, most of the symptoms of the alarm response stage disappear or are reversed in the next stage (resistance), then reappear in the final stage of exhaustion.

Resistance Stage

The resistance stage of general adaptation syndrome is when your body tries to repair itself after the initial shock of stress. If the stressful situation is no longer present and you can overcome the stress, your heart rate and blood pressure will start to return to prestress levels during this stage.

However, if the stressful situation continues for a long time or if you do not resolve the stress, your body will never receive a clear signal to return to normal functioning levels. This means it will continue to secrete the stress hormones and your blood pressure will stay high.

Prolonged levels of high stress can cause disturbances in the immune, digestive, cardiovascular, sleep, and reproductive systems.You might have symptoms such as:

• Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
• Irritability
• Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests
• Stomach problems
• Headaches
• Body pains or skin rashes
• Sleeplessness or nightmares
  
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions

Prolonged stress that is not resolved leads to the third stage (exhaustion).

Exhaustion Stage

Prolonged or chronic stress leads to the last stage of general adaptation syndrome—exhaustion. Enduring stressors without relief drains your physical, emotional, and mental resources to the point where your body is no longer able to cope with stress.

Signs that you are in the exhaustion stage include:

• Fatigue
• Burnout
• Decreased stress tolerance

Example of General Adaptation Syndrome

Here is an example of an event that might trigger general adaptation syndrome and possible ways you might experience each stage:

• Alarm reaction: You have trembling hands and butterflies in your stomach prior to the start of an important exam.
• Resistance: You've finished your exam but you're having trouble switching gears and focusing on other things.
• Exhaustion: Your exam is in the past but you still feel anxious and depressed. You're having trouble sleeping and you wonder how you're going to get through the rest of the semester.
  

What Causes General Adaptation Syndrome?

Any kind of stressor—both unpleasant and rewarding, dangerous or thrilling—can trigger general adaptation syndrome.

Selye discovered general adaptation syndrome after studying how the human body reacted to physical stressors, such as being exposed to cold temperatures or physical overexertion.

It is now understood that many situations, including those that cause psychological rather than physical stress, can cause GAS.

Examples of stressors that can trigger GAS include:

• Daily stress (such as pressure at school, work, or at home relating to your family)
• A sudden change in your life (such as losing a job, divorce, or illness)
• Traumatic experiences (such as abuse, a major accident, and war)

Positive Stress

General adaptation syndrome is not only triggered by stressors that cause distress. It can also be triggered by situations in which the stressor is considered positive or pleasant (known as eustress).

For example, some people see the stress of an upcoming exam as positive because it helps them to stay motivated. Others might enjoy the fear they feel while watching a scary movie.

Conditions Associated With General Adaptation Syndrome

General adaptation syndrome is not a medical condition that you can be diagnosed with. Rather, it's the process your body goes through automatically when it experiences stress.

However, if you are experiencing chronic stress that is negatively affecting your life, it's important that you get help.

Physical conditions that may be triggered by long-term stress include:

• Arthritis
• Headaches
• Heart disease
• Heart attack
• Hypertension
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Insomnia
• Memory impairment
• Metabolic syndrome
• Muscle tension
• Obesity
• Pain
• Peptic ulcer
• Pregnancy complications, such as small birth weight and preterm labor
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes

Mental health conditions that have symptoms related to experiencing stress over extended periods include:

• Anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder,panic disorder, and phobia-related disorders)
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Chronic stress is also associated with addiction to harmful substances and behaviors, including:

• Alcohol
• Food
• Gambling
• Illegal drugs
• Internet
• Nicotine
• Prescription medications
• p*rnography
• Sex
  

Managing Stress

Stress mitigation techniques can help you cope with GAS. Examples you might want to explore include:

• Diaphragmatic breathing
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Guided imagery
• Mindfulness
• Physical activity
• Limiting exposure to triggers

Summary

General adaptation syndrome (GAS) describes the process your body goes through when you are exposed to any kind of stress, positive or negative. It has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. If you do not resolve the stress that has triggered GAS, it can lead to physical and mental health problems.

Understanding which stressors affect you and learning strategies to cope with stress can help you avoid the consequences of chronic stress. If you are having a hard time coping with stress, reach out to a healthcare provider or mental health professional for support.