The General Adaptation Syndrome model proposed by Hans Selye describes the body's three stage response to stress: 1) the alarm stage triggers the fight or flight response, 2) the resistance stage sees the body trying to adapt to the stressor through the release of hormones, 3) the exhaustion stage occurs if stress is prolonged, depleting all energy and increasing susceptibility to disease. The response depends on the intensity and individual perception of the stressor, with chronic stress having severe physical and emotional impacts including suppression of the immune system.

1. GENERAL ADAPTATION
SYNDROME(SEYLE MODEL)
BY,
B. KAAVYA
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE, TRICHY 2

2. • Dr. Hans seyle defined stess as the non specific response of the body to any demand
made on it.
• Meaning of Stress: Stress is a general term applied to various psychologic and
physiologic pressure experienced or felt by people throughout their lives.
• Definition of Stress: A state of psychological and pysiological imbalance resulting
from the disparity between situational demand and the individuals ability and
motivation to meet those needs.
• Three stages:
1. Alarm stage
2. Resistance stage
3.Exhaution stage

3. ALARM STAGE
• The body’s first response to a stressor
• Adrenal cortex releases hormones called glucocorticoids,
• It also activates the sympathetic nervous system.
• These hormones brings about flight or fight response.
• This response is characterized by :
1. An increase in heart rate
2. High blood pressure
3. Increase in blood glucose levels
4. Dilation of pupil

4. RESISTANCE STAGE
• During this stage adrenal cortex continues to release the glucocorticoids to help
the body resist stressors.
• The length of the resistance stage depends both on the strength or intensity of the
stressor and on the body’s power to adapt.
• The affected person tries to adapt to the stressor.
• So one might experience symptoms such as:
1. Fatigue
2. Irritability
3. Loss of concentration
4. Lethargy

5. EXHAUSTION STAGE
• This stage is the result of prolonged or chronic stress.
• Chronic stress can have an adverse effect on the immune system,digestive
system, circulatory system,etc.
• All energies are depleted and disintegrated and death follow.
• Hence the body fails in its efforts to resist the stressor.
• Symptoms:
1. Reduce tolerance to stress.
2. Extreme mental and physical exhaustion.
3. Susceptibility to disease of adaptation.

7. CONCLUSION
• The response to stress can vary depending on personality of individual
perception of the stressor.
• Chronic stress is extremely deterimental to one’s physical and emotional well
being.
• It can lead to the suppression of HPA system, and leads to disease.
• Therefore every individual must ensure that stress is dealt with adequately so as
to prevent the stage of exhaustion from setting in.