Middle School Blues Research Paper

Middle School Blues Stress is part of everybody’s daily life. Stress is defined as the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events that we find challenging or threatening, otherwise known as stressors. There are different situations that can lead up to feelings of stress. Catastrophes, such as a large-scale natural disaster or unfortunate terrorist attack causes stress due to it being unpredictable. This can lead up to distress, “bad stress” that is in no way beneficial to our body or mind. Significant life changes also play a factor in creating toxic stress leading to depression or a higher risk of death and heart attack. However, not all forms of stress are overwhelming in this way. Eustress, or “good stress” is perceived as a challenge- such as facing the challenges of a new job because your passion overcomes the hardship.
So, how do we respond to stress? Our bodies have three adaptive responses according to the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)- alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. In phase one during the alarm reaction, you feel the faintness of …show more content…
It was the day before Thanksgiving break and I was so excited to spend it with my family. My mother picked me up from school early, saving the horrid news until I came home to grieving family members. In terms of the General Adaptation Syndrome, great shock was my body’s first response, I didn’t know what to make of the situation. That shock gradually calmed down, leaving room for me to recognize the situation and react to the news by crying. Days and weeks passed, leaving me and my family members exhausted. I was unmotivated and almost failed eighth grade because I could not see past the tragedy that had struck my family. This type of distress was harmful in a way where it could never be seen as beneficial or productive. It made me more prone to catching colds, not taking care of my body that was desperately craving