INTRODUCTION Stress is a part of life: everyone feels stress at one time or another .

The experience of stress and the way one responds to it are unique to each individual .Stress is a universal feeling. These feeling and emotions were identified as a part of concept of stress early in the 2oth century by scientist who attempted to crystatallized this vague concept into precise scientific terminology. During the first of this century, Physicians such as William Osler and Walter Cannon wrote about stress as a possible couse of illness. By the 1950s, the late Hans Selye, considered the father of stress theory was among the first to describe the specific effects of stressors on the physiology and body chemistry of animals .he linked stress with certain diseases .since the mid-1950s physiologists, biologists

BASIC CONCEPTS OF STRESS AND ADAPTATIONS Stress : - It is condition in which the human system repondce to changes in its normal balanced state. It is the non-specific response of the body to any kind of demand made upon it (Selye-1956). Stress is the arousal of mind and body in response to demands made upon them (Schafer-2000) It results from a change in environment that is perceived as challenge , a threat ,or a danger,and can have both positive and negative effects.major sources arise from interpersonal relationships and performance demands rather than from actual physical threat.it affects whole person in all human dimensions (physical ,emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual). Stressors: -it is anything that is perceived as challenging , threatening ,or demanding.it may be either internal(an illness,a hormonal change,or fear.)or external(loud noise , or cold temperature).tey are neither positive nor negative but have positive or negative effects as person responds to changes. Adaptation:- when a person is in a threatening situation , immediate responses occur. Those responses, which are often involuntary, are called coping responses. The change that takes place as a result of response to a stressor is adaptation.it is an ongoing process as person strives to maintain balance in his or her internal or external environments.it is necessary for normal growth and development ,the ability to tolerate changing situations , and, the ability to respond to physical and emotional stressors. Homeostasis: STRESS RESPONSES Stress responses are physiologic and psychologic responses to stress. Physiologic: changes in cardiovascular function, increased gastric secretion, tremor, and loss of sphincter control. Psychologic: Anxiety and Depression and use of defence mechanisms such as denial and repression. The manner in which an individual responds to stressful situations is mediated by 1) Personality 2) Perception of the stressor ,and 3) Resources for coping. Whether our stress responses are successful or not , tey re often means of defending us from stressors.