StressStress

USQ NormsUSQ NormsLowLow 0 – 70 – 7

Below AverageBelow Average 8 – 158 – 15

AverageAverage 16 – 2316 – 23

Above AverageAbove Average 24 – 3124 – 31

HighHigh 32 - 3932 - 39

Very HighVery High 40 or more40 or more

The higher the score the greater the risk for some kind of illness

General Adaptation Syndrome General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)(GAS)

Hans Selye in the 1930s identified a Hans Selye in the 1930s identified a pattern of bodily responses that pattern of bodily responses that characterize the effects of stress on an characterize the effects of stress on an individual.individual.

The pattern consists of three stages that The pattern consists of three stages that are common across individuals.are common across individuals. Alarm stageAlarm stage Adaptation stageAdaptation stage Exhaustion stageExhaustion stage

General Adaptation Syndrome General Adaptation Syndrome

Alarm stageAlarm stage Immediate reaction to a stressorImmediate reaction to a stressor Widespread bodily changes:Widespread bodily changes:

Inhibition of digestion.Inhibition of digestion. Rapid conversion of stored nutrients to glucose.Rapid conversion of stored nutrients to glucose. Increase in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration Increase in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration

and sweating.and sweating. Blood supply routed to limbs and away from the Blood supply routed to limbs and away from the

centre of the bodycentre of the body The ‘flight-or-fight’ response.The ‘flight-or-fight’ response.

General Adaptation Syndrome General Adaptation Syndrome Adaptation stageAdaptation stage

Starts after a few minutes of alarm—preparation for action as Starts after a few minutes of alarm—preparation for action as immediate response fades.immediate response fades.

Hypothalamus triggers pituitary gland to release Hypothalamus triggers pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).

Triggers release of glucocorticoids, norepinehrine, and Triggers release of glucocorticoids, norepinehrine, and epinephrine that are responsible for accompanying bodily epinephrine that are responsible for accompanying bodily changes.changes. Turn off low priority bodily responses, e.g., bone formation, sex, Turn off low priority bodily responses, e.g., bone formation, sex,

release of growth hormone.release of growth hormone. Suppress processes that involve healing and tissue regrowth Suppress processes that involve healing and tissue regrowth

because of anti-inflammatory effects.because of anti-inflammatory effects. Inhibit sleep and enhance glucose production.Inhibit sleep and enhance glucose production.

Organism is in a state of muscular readiness, ahead of growth, Organism is in a state of muscular readiness, ahead of growth, reproduction, immunity, and body maintenance and repair.reproduction, immunity, and body maintenance and repair.

General Adaptation Syndrome General Adaptation Syndrome

Exhaustion stageExhaustion stage If adaptation lasts too long exhaustion sets in.If adaptation lasts too long exhaustion sets in. Results from long-term effects of the Results from long-term effects of the

glucocorticoids.glucocorticoids. Become more susceptible to illness because Become more susceptible to illness because

of suppression of immune system.of suppression of immune system. Further stress is more damaging.Further stress is more damaging.

Life Stress Life Stress

Hassles vs StressorsHassles vs Stressors Many daily annoyances can add up to stress, Many daily annoyances can add up to stress,

depleting personal resources. depleting personal resources. Any life event can be stressful, including Any life event can be stressful, including

positive ones.positive ones. Unpredictability is the most stressful.Unpredictability is the most stressful. More stress leads to poorer healthMore stress leads to poorer health

Individual response depends on many Individual response depends on many factorsfactors

Adaptation to StressAdaptation to Stress

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