According to the general adaptation syndrome model, what typically happens once the exhaustion stage of stress is reached?

• A. Stress becomes easier to manage as the body adapts.
• B. There is no change in the body's ability to handle stress.
• C. The body's resources are depleted, making it harder to manage stress.
• D. The body enters a state of heightened resistance to stress.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model, which describes the body's physiological response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
2. Recognize that during the alarm stage, the body initially reacts to a stressor with a 'fight or flight' response, activating the sympathetic nervous system.
3. In the resistance stage, the body attempts to adapt to the ongoing stressor by maintaining a heightened state of alertness and coping mechanisms.
4. The exhaustion stage occurs when the body's resources have been depleted after prolonged exposure to the stressor, reducing its ability to resist or manage stress effectively.
5. Therefore, at the exhaustion stage, the body can no longer sustain the resistance, leading to increased vulnerability to illness and decreased stress tolerance.