Which order correctly lists the stages of General Adaptation Syndrome?

Which order correctly lists the stages of General Adaptation Syndrome?

• A. Alarm, Exhaustion, Resistance
• B. Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion
• C. Resistance, Alarm, Exhaustion
• D. Exhaustion, Alarm, Resistance

Answer: (B)

General Adaptation Syndrome unfolds in three stages. First, alarm reaction, where the body detects the stressor and triggers the fight-or-flight response through the sympathetic nervous system and HPA axis. Next comes the resistance phase, as the body mobilizes resources to cope with the ongoing stress and tries to restore balance. If the stress persists, resources become depleted and the organism enters exhaustion, marked by diminished function and increased vulnerability to illness. Thus, the correct sequence is alarm, resistance, exhaustion. The other orderings would place depletion before adequate mobilization or skip the coping phase, which doesn’t fit how the body adapts to prolonged stress.

General Adaptation Syndrome unfolds in three stages. First, alarm reaction, where the body detects the stressor and triggers the fight-or-flight response through the sympathetic nervous system and HPA axis. Next comes the resistance phase, as the body mobilizes resources to cope with the ongoing stress and tries to restore balance. If the stress persists, resources become depleted and the organism enters exhaustion, marked by diminished function and increased vulnerability to illness. Thus, the correct sequence is alarm, resistance, exhaustion. The other orderings would place depletion before adequate mobilization or skip the coping phase, which doesn’t fit how the body adapts to prolonged stress.