General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

("Stress"-1)

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Hans Seyle

It was Hans Seyle [1] , an endocrinologist, who popularized the concept of Stress .

Other episodes will be devoted to his work later.

But first of all, let us note two essential contributions that we owe to him:

• A general definition of Stress: It is a general biological response to any adaptation request .

• The 3 stages of GAS : three stages or phases of our body's reaction to a stressor.

• A. ALARM REACTION The body detects stress and mobilizes its defenses. At the same time, its resistance decreases.

• B. RESISTANCE PHASE If stress persists, the body tries to adapt. The signs of the alarm reaction have virtually disappeared and resistance rises above normal.

• C. EXHAUST PHASE As a result of long and continuous exposure to the same stressor, to which the body had adapted, the adaptive energy is eventually exhausted. The body's resources are overwhelmed, which can lead to illness or various disorders (immune failure, psychosomatic illnesses, etc.).

A natural reaction

First experience drawn from the contributions of H. Seyle: Stress is a natural reaction to any demand made on our body and our psyche, whether it is emotional, physical or biochemical in nature.

Second thought and experience: stress is inherent to life. This association between stress and life is consistent with our view of living organisms and the importance we place on processes and the 2L-Laws of Complexity in the functioning of living systems.

A living organism reacts, adapts, thanks to the stress caused by any stressor that requires a reaction.

Distress and Eustress

There is good stress and bad stress. Two words to know:

• Distress: Stress perceived as "negative" when it exceeds adaptation capacities, affects health and causes harmful consequences (anxiety, chronic fatigue, hypertension, etc.).

• Eustress: "Positive" stress, useful and stimulating, which can improve motivation, concentration and push the individual to adapt better or to surpass themselves (for example, stage fright before an important event can sometimes increase performance).

Phase B: A false friend

We suggest paying close attention to stage B (the resistance phase), during which it may seem that we are "managing" daily stresses well, while we are actually unconsciously accumulating sources of unmanaged stress.

We do indeed have the capacity to absorb or accumulate stress. But this capacity is unfortunately not unlimited. When it is overwhelmed, stage C (exhaustion phase, burnout) can be brutal.

But what are we accumulating? How can we avoid this accumulation?

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References

[1] Hans Seyle (1907-1982), The Stress of Life, 1956. In French The Stress of Life , Gallimard