General adaptation syndrome: alarm, resistance, exhaustion
A student under months of sustained stress begins getting sick frequently as her body's resources are depleted. According to Selye's general adaptation syndrome, she is in which stage?
Answer A: explanation for every choice
A
Correct. After prolonged stress, resources are depleted and illness becomes more likely.
B
Alarm is the initial sympathetic fight-or-flight response to a stressor.
C
Resistance is the period of sustained arousal, with elevated cortisol, as the body tries to adapt.
D
Secondary appraisal belongs to Lazarus's model of stress, not Selye's.
TakeawayAlarm → resistance → exhaustion.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps50.