Final answer:
The body's changing reaction to increased stress over time is illustrated through three stages: alarm reaction, stage of resistance, and stage of exhaustion. Prolonged or repeated stress can lead to serious health problems and disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Body's Changing Reaction to Increased Stress Over Time:
- Alarm Reaction: When faced with a threatening situation, the body goes into an alarm reaction. For example, if a person wakes up in the middle of the night to discover their house is on fire.
- Stage of Resistance: After the initial shock, the body adapts to the stressor and remains on high alert but with less intensity. For instance, if a child is missing for 72 hours, the physiological reactions would likely have diminished over time due to adaptation.
- Stage of Exhaustion: Prolonged exposure to stress can lead the body to enter the stage of exhaustion, depleting physical resources and potentially causing serious health problems and disease.
Stress can have a profound impact on our bodies, and prolonged or repeated stress has been linked to various disorders. These stages illustrate the body's response to increased stress over time.