Which sequence correctly lists the three stages of stress in order?

Which sequence correctly lists the three stages of stress in order?

• A. alarm stage, resistance stage, exhaustion stage
• B. alarm stage, exhaustion stage, resistance stage
• C. exhaustion stage, alarm stage, resistance stage
• D. resistance stage, alarm stage, exhaustion stage

Answer: (A)

In the General Adaptation Syndrome, the body's response to stress unfolds in a specific order: alarm, resistance, then exhaustion. The alarm stage is the initial alert to a threat, triggering the fight-or-flight system with a surge of adrenaline and quick energy mobilization. If the stressor persists, the body moves into the resistance stage, where it tries to cope by sustaining hormonal adjustments and physiological resources to handle the ongoing challenge. When the stress continues for too long and resources become depleted, the system reaches the exhaustion stage, and defenses weaken, increasing the risk of illness or burnout. That's why the correct sequence is alarm, then resistance, then exhaustion. Sequences that place exhaustion before resistance don’t reflect how the body first mobilizes energy and then attempts to cope, and sequences that skip the initial alarm miss the immediate alert response.

In the General Adaptation Syndrome, the body's response to stress unfolds in a specific order: alarm, resistance, then exhaustion. The alarm stage is the initial alert to a threat, triggering the fight-or-flight system with a surge of adrenaline and quick energy mobilization. If the stressor persists, the body moves into the resistance stage, where it tries to cope by sustaining hormonal adjustments and physiological resources to handle the ongoing challenge. When the stress continues for too long and resources become depleted, the system reaches the exhaustion stage, and defenses weaken, increasing the risk of illness or burnout. That's why the correct sequence is alarm, then resistance, then exhaustion. Sequences that place exhaustion before resistance don’t reflect how the body first mobilizes energy and then attempts to cope, and sequences that skip the initial alarm miss the immediate alert response.