Final answer:
The body's response to coping with environmental demands is known as the general adaptation syndrome, including three stages: alarm reaction, stage of resistance, and stage of exhaustion. It highlights the physiological impact of stress and the potential for related health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Body's Stress Response
The body's response to coping with environmental demands such as change, frustration, uncertainty, danger, or discomfort is known as the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), which was formulated by Hans Selye. GAS is composed of three stages. The first stage is the alarm reaction, where the body experiences an immediate reaction to a threat, often referred to as the fight-or-flight response, triggering a surge of energy to manage the situation. The second stage is the stage of resistance, where the body adapts to the stressor. The third and final stage is the stage of exhaustion, where the body's resources are depleted due to prolonged exposure to the stressor, potentially leading to adverse health effects.
Despite the physiological focus, Selye's GAS model does not fully account for the psychological aspects of stress such as appraisal and interpretation of threats. Nevertheless, it significantly contributed to our understanding of how stress can physically impact the body and potentially lead to health issues such as hypertension and coronary artery disease due to prolonged or repeated stress.