Selye’s stress theory: what is it and what does it explain?

A summary of this theory proposed by Hans Selye, a researcher specialized in stress.

Stress is a state of dysfunctional activation present in many clinical conditions but which also appears in healthy people. Although it has been studied from many different orientations and theories, in this article we will learn about Selye's stress theory..

Hans Selye was a professor and researcher who stated when talking about stress that "what matters is not what happens to us but the way it is received". From here he elaborates his theory, which we will know next.

What is stress?

The stress appears when in the organism is given a greater activation of which this one is able to support or to reduce by means of its strategies of coping, either psychological and/or behavioral.psychological and/or behavioral. In this sense, the body is unable to maintain optimal or adequate levels to perform behaviorally and psychologically.

In evolutionary terms, when a person suffers from stress it means that he/she has "failed" to adapt to the environment or stressor source, and the emotional and physical consequences are usually significant.

Selye's theory of stress: characteristics

Hans Selye was a professor and researcher, considered the "father of stress", who defined it as "the non-specific response of the organism to any demand made on it". On the other hand, in the 1940s, he also defined the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).understanding stress as a non-specific and global response of the organism.

Selye established his theory of stress, according to which this response is a Biological response, the same in all organisms and stereotyped. In addition, it is measurable and involves a series of hormonal secretions, responsible for the reactions we show to a stressful situation. These reactions are somatic, functional and organic. Although it should be noted that most of the time the organism responds in harmony to environmental stimuli and without negative consequences.This is what is known as good stress.

At other times, however, and following Selye's stress theory, the organism is unable to adapt to the environment (when stress appears), because the responses required are too intense or prolonged and the demands exceed its resistance and/or adaptation. We speak then of "distress" or "bad stress" (stress, in general).

Stress as a physiological process

Stress would be a normal physiological process of stimulation, activation and response of the organism.. But when this stress is prolonged or too intense, it is when it becomes harmful and Selye's SGA appears.

Thus, in Selye's theory of stress, stress is conceived as indispensable for the functioning of the organism and which allows progress, unless it is excessive and becomes dysfunctional or maladaptive, as we have already seen.

For Selye, most of the physical or mental efforts that a person makes to adapt to the demands of life, infections and other stress-causing agents, cause modifications in the organism.

These modifications are the first two phases of the General Adaptation Syndrome (alarm phase and resistance phase). The third phase is the exhaustion phaseand appears only when the body tries to adapt to too many changes or sources of stress, or when these last over time.

How does it appear?

In Selye's stress theory, he states that "negative" stress appears when a person is subjected to accumulated doses of stress that exceed his or her optimal threshold of adaptation; thus, the organism begins to show signs of exhaustion. Whether or not this state of exhaustion and fatigue appears depends on the psychological profile of the person, as well as on the frequency (and types) of adaptations experienced.

Influencing factors

On the other hand, there are also factors that modify the person's receptivity to environmental stimuli or situations, and that "contaminate" our capacity to adapt. In this way, they prevent us from recognizing which are the actual agents causing such stress.

These factors influence our response (physical, psychological and biological); they condition and determine it.They condition and determine it. The same agent or situation can provoke a different response in different subjects. These factors predispose our vulnerability to illness and worsen our quality of life.

Likewise, quality of life is also linked to conditions such as diet, psycho-affective education, environment, way of life, work context and possible intoxications such as alcohol or tobacco.

Types of stress

On the other hand, H. Selye distinguishes two types of stressLocal stress (when there is a direct action of a stress agent on a limited part of the body) and the local adaptation syndrome or LAS (when there is a defensive reaction of adaptation).

Response of the organism according to Selye

In response to stress, the basic mechanism of physiological action for Selye follows a certain sequence, which is:

Stress - Hypothalamus - Pituitary - Adrenal cortex (testosterone) - + H.A.C.T. (adrenocorticotrópica) + corticoides - constricción del timo, atrofia nódulos linfáticos, inhibición del azúcar.

Referencias bibliográficas:

• Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Selye,H. (1964). From dream to discovery. On being a scientist. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Lazarus, R. and Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, Appraisal and Coping. Springer Publishing Company