How Psychological States Affect the Immune System Essay

How Psychological States Affect the Immune System Title: How psychological states affect the immune system. Subject(s): AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Psychology; IMMUNE system -- Psychological aspects Source: Health Social Work, Nov96, Vol. 21 Issue 4, p287, 5p Author(s): Littrell, Jill Abstract: Discusses the premise that the psychological state affects the immune system with reference to the psychological state of persons with enhanced functioning immune states and those with suppressed immunity, HIV and AIDS. How stress affects the immune system; How psychological health assists the immune system; Advantages of intervention on the psyche and immune system of HIV and AIDS patients. Database: Academic Search Elite†¦show more content†¦Because mental health professionals have developed interventions for changing peoples perspectives on life and their resultant feelings, it becomes possible, through psychological interventions, to influence immune system functioning. The literatures reviewed in this article assume an underlying model of illness that includes environmental events, coping mechanisms, psychological states, activation of particular regions in the nervous system, and immune system function as variables (Anton), Schneiderman, et al., 1990). The model explains how environmental events such as loss or trauma make immune system suppression more likely. However, immune suppression is the end result of a cascade of events involving mediating variables. The occurrence of an environmental stressor makes immune suppression more likely but by no means inevitable. Given an environmental stressor, people appraise the situation and have the option of acting in ways to reduce the impact of the stressor. The processes of appraisal and behaving to reduce the impact of the stressor are collectively called coping. Depending on a persons coping mechanisms, particular psychological states can occur. A psychological state has a wide variety of manifestations. Psychological states are associated with activation of particular brainShow MoreRelatedA Relationship Between Stress and Physical Illness Essay1078 Words   |  5 Pagesphysiological and psychological terms. Recently awareness has been heightened concerning the harmful effects of stress and how it can be successfully managed and prevented. Lay definitions of stress seem to focus on a force or some kind of mental pressure which is exerted upon an individual which is aversive. Stress is often associated with anxiety, strain, tension, distress and fatigue. The effects of stress include biochemical physiological and psychological changes, manyRead MoreTheoretical Relationship Between The Mind Body1193 Words   |  5 Pagesrelationship between mind and body, as well as my understanding of this relationship. I will also discuss how psychological factors and physical illness relate to each other. In the second part of this essay I will give an example of a physical illness and explain how do psychological factors impact it. Last but not least I will mention how might that illness affect the person’s psychological state. Historically there have been numerous theories explaining the relationship between the human body andRead MoreDisadvantages Of Cardiovascular Disease757 Words   |  4 Pagesimpair the immune system functions while reducing an individuals resistance to certain types of infections. AAS is also well tolerated in the renal system. Largely excreted from the body through the kidneys, and no inherent strong toxicity in process. However, steroids are slightly weather resistant to infection in men and it appears to be caused by testosterone. Testosterone is a immunosuppressive hormone. Also, androgens could modulate the immune system and the effects on the immune system may varyRead MoreCanadian Income Inequality And Its Impact1007 Words   |  5 Pages731 University of Ontario Institute of Technology Canada has always taken great pride in its health care system. Publicly funded, Medicare has helped many, but has also aided in masking one of this country’s largest growing problems. Income inequality is highly prevalent throughout Canada, affecting the health of its citizens, and over-burdening its health care system. The growing gap between incomes is largely in part to the economic neoliberalism taking place within Canada. The stressRead MoreWhy Money Can t Buy Happiness And Hustvedts My Mother1287 Words   |  6 PagesFalse Promises The articles for the week, Shermer’s â€Å"Why Money Can’t Buy Happiness† and Hustvedt’s â€Å"My Mother,† offer perspectives on happiness informed by theories of evolutionary psychology. Shermer and Hustvedt examine what it means to be happy and how our brains can fool us into believing we enjoy something when we actually don’t. These readings come at a crucial pinnacle in the semester for me when introspection is often ignored. While other classes seem to be on the downward slope to finals, IRead MoreThe Stress During The Past Year1024 Words   |  5 Pagesin the context of psychological disorders applies to health psychology as well, because health psychology integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in health.† Stress is the response to environmental factors, the circumstances and events that threaten individuals and tax their coping abilities. A stressor is a chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, external stimulus or an event that causes stress to an organism. The alarm stage is a temporary state of shock during whichRead More PNI- Psychoneuroimmunology Theory1175 Words   |  5 PagesPsychoneuroimmunology (PNI) theory proposed by Mary P. Bennett is a review of the science that connects psychological processes and the immune system. Stress has a positive and negative effect on health. Good stress is short and helps us overcome physical barriers. Bad stress is prolonged chronic stress. (Bennett, 1999) Stress can affect immune function by manifestations of chronic emotional and behavioral stressors. Chronic manifestations of stress can change heart rate, blood pressure, and sweatingRead MoreThe Effects Of Stress On Physical Health1655 Words   |  7 Pagesand distinguishes with stress in a variety of different ways. Correspondingly, there are several causes and effects of stress that affects an individual’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Thus, it is imperative to acknowledge and manage these stressors in maintaining good physical health. This essay will discuss: (1) the impacts of stress on physical health; (2) how to identify the associated symptoms of stress; (3) and strategies that may assist in effectively coping with stress and its aftermathRead MoreThe Effects Of Stress On Physical Illness1287 Words   |  6 Pagesexperience explained in physiological and psychological terms. Recently, awareness has been heightened concerning the harmful effects of stress and how it can be successfully managed and prevented. Stults-Kolehmainen (2013) definition of stress focuses on some kind of force or mental pressure exerted upon an individual. Often, stress is often associated with anxiety, strain, tension, distress and fatigue (Childs de-Wit, 2013). The effects of stress comprise psychological and biochemical physiological changesRead MoreEffects Of Stress Essay1054 Words   |  5 Pageshuge effect on the immune system of your body. The weaker the immune system is, the more the human body is exposed to various diseases and viruses. The impact of stress on the human body cannot manifest immediately but have a delayed development of a serious and sometimes life-threatening disease. No wonder doctors warn us that all diseases of the nerves. At first, stress disrupts the habitual rhythm of a persons life. Stress takes a significant place among the factors that affect sleep. Sleep performs