Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Hans’ Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrom (GAS): Believed to be three stages of stress

GAS Stages:

1. Alarm: First exposure to stressor and ability to cope goes down

2. Resistance: Normal level of resistance to stress

3. Exhaustion: No longer able to cope (i.e. burnout)

Stage 1: Alarm

The HPA Axis:

The pituitary gland is activated by the hypothalamus by interacting with the pituitary gland that releases the ACTH hormone and interacts with the adrenal cortex.

The end release of this process is the release of cortisol which release energy to help with stress.

Flight-or-Flight Response:

The hypothalamus activates the the autonomic nervous system in which releases adrenaline

Symptoms of Adrenaline:

1. Increased respiration

2. Increased muscle strength

3. Increased mental activity

Strage 2: Resistance

We adapt and find ways to cope with the stressor (breathing, visualization, and thinking logically

Stage 3: Exhaustion

• Prolonged stressor cause our resistance to stress break down and can cause physical or psychological damage