According to Selye (1956, 1976), the phase of the general adaptation syndrome is responsible for the physiological damage related to stress.

exhaustion

Explanation:

Hans Selye, an endocrinologist, studied the adrenocortical responses to stress of the body, which he termed as general adaptation syndrome. He describes these process in three phases, which are the alarm phase, resistance phase, and the exhaustion phase.

The exhaustion phase is the final phase in which the body loses its ability to cope with the stress, as energy depletes. As the stress becomes prolong, the body deteriorates resulting in physiological damage as a result of the stress.