Depression is associated with disrupted immune function.

 People with depression are more likely to get sick and have a more difficult time recovering from illness.

Depression is linked to heart disease.

 People with depression are more likely to develop heart disease and have a heart attack.

Stress activates the immune system, triggering the production of proinflammatory cytokines. These cytokines can lead to changes in the brain that manifest as symptoms of depression (Hooley et al 2019).

Depression may interact with stress to further enhance inflammatory responses. This can increase the risk of heart attack.

People with heart disease are three times more likely to be depressed than healthy people. Depression is also a risk factor for the development of heart disease (Hooley et al, 2019).

• People who are depressed have shorter telomeres than people who are not depressed.
  
  
  

Telomeres are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes. Shorter telomeres are associated with an increased risk of disease and death.

These findings suggest that depression is a stressful condition that can have a negative impact on physical health. Depression can disrupt immune function, increase the risk of heart disease, and shorten telomeres. If you are struggling with depression, it is important to seek professional help. There are effective treatments available that can help you improve your mental and physical health.

References

 Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033

The Effects of Discrimination and Stress on Health

 

The Effects of Discrimination and Stress on Health

Discrimination and stress can have a negative impact on health.

Discrimination can lead to increased blood pressure and signs of cardiovascular disease, potentially through the mediation of C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein that signals widespread inflammation in the body. A study found a significant correlation between everyday discrimination and CRP levels in older African Americans (Hooley et al, 2019).

Stress can also shorten the length of telomeres

the protective end parts of chromosomes. Short telomeres have been linked to an increased risk of disease. A study found that stress reduced telomere length in mothers caring for a chronically ill child, equivalent to 10 years of aging (Hooley et al, 2019).

Research has shown that cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, can reduce the activity of telomerase

The enzyme that maintains telomere length. Other factors that can shorten telomeres include sugar-sweetened soda, pessimism, and lack of exercise. Meditation may promote telomerase activity (Hooley et al, 2019).

These findings highlight the importance of living in a happy, healthy, and relaxed manner. By reducing stress and discrimination, we can improve our overall health and well-being.

 

References

 Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033

 Stress and the Immune System

Stress can slow down the healing of wounds by 24 to 40 percent due to its link to suppression of the immune system. In a study, 11 dental students had a punch biopsy wound performed on their hard palate twice. The first biopsy was during summer vacation and the second was 3 days before a major examination. The wounds healed 40 percent more slowly during the stressful period before the examination than during vacation. For every person in the study, the healing time was longer when the wound occurred during high stress versus low stress ( Hooley et al., 2019).

Stress and the Immune System

Stress can have a negative impact on the immune system, making us more susceptible to illness. This is because stress can disrupt the production of cytokines, which are small protein molecules that serve as chemical messengers and allow immune cells to communicate with each other.

There are two main types of cytokines: proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Proinflammatory cytokines help to amplify the immune response, while anti-inflammatory cytokines help to dampen the response.

Under conditions of stress, the production of proinflammatory cytokines is disrupted. This can lead to a decrease in the number of immune cells and a decrease in the production of antibodies, which are proteins that help to fight infection.

As a result, people who are under stress are more likely to get sick. They are also more likely to have slower wound healing and to have more severe symptoms when they are sick.

References

Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033