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 HOW PSYCHOLOGICAL STATES AFFECT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM Implications for Interventions in the Context of HIV Research has established that psychological states can affect the immune system. This article discusses the psychological states associated with enhanced immune system functioning and those associated with suppressed immune functioning. Studies of psychological and behavioral interventions to boost the immune systems of people who are HIV positive, including people with AIDS, are reviewed. Suggestions are made for group interventions to enhance psychological states associated with better immune system function. Key words group work HIV/AIDS immune system psychological states Although medical social workers have always played a role in helping loved ones adjust to significant illness in a family member and in securing needed resources to pay for medical care (Furstenberg & Olson, 1984), a new role for mental health professionals in the care of those afflicted with disease has emerged. D... ... middle of paper ... ... with AIDS. General Hospital Psychiatry, 8, 395-403. Zich, J., & Temoshok, L. (1987). Perceptions of social support in men with AIDS and ARC: Relationships with distress and hardiness. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 17, 193-215. Accepted May 26, 1995 ~~~~~~~~ By Jill Littrell Jill Littrell, PhD, LCSW, is assistant professor, Georgia State University, 2436 Northlake Court, Atlanta, GA 30345-2226. e-mail: littrell@gsu.edu Copyright of Health & Social Work is the property of National Association of Social Workers and its content may not be copied without the copyright holder's express written permission except for the print or download capabilities of the retrieval software used for access. This content is intended solely for the use of the individual user. Source: Health & Social Work, Nov96, Vol. 21 Issue 4, p287, 5p. Item Number: 9612032934
Thoits, P. A. (2011). Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 52(2), 145-161.
In an interview for the American Institute for Stress, Dr. Ader stated: “It seems to me that basic research on the interaction among behavior, neuroendocrine and immune process has a bright future that promises new developments in our understanding of adaptive process with profound consequences for the maintenance of health and for the treatment disease.” (brightonmc.com). Dr. Ader earned many titles during his career, including the George Engel Professor of Psychosocial medicine (The Engel Award is presented annually for outstanding research contributing to the theory, practice and teaching of effective healthcare communication and related skills). He also continues to work in the field that he has created, psychoneuroimmunology, defending his theory again people who doubted him and continuing to build
It is especially crucial for our group members, as future nurses, to have a good understanding of mental health because we work so closely with our patients, and other members of our healthcare team. The Canadian Mental Health association - Mental Illnesses in the Workplace (n.d.) writes that because some symptoms of mental health diseases cause a person become more withdrawn, or act in a way that they usually don’t it could potentially put a strain on relationships between co-workers (para.5). Not only is it important to have a good understanding of mental illness in relation to our members of the health care setting, it is likely that we may be caring for patients with mental
My experience in mental health clinical was very different from any other clinical I had before. In a mental health clinical setting, I am not only treating client’s mental illnesses, I am also treating their medical problems such as COPD, diabetes, chronic renal failure, etc. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the unexpected events. In this mental health clinical, I learned that the importance of checking on my clients and making sure that they are doing fine by performing a quick head-to toes assessment at the beginning of my shift. I had also learned that client’s mental health illness had a huge impact on their current medical illness.
Mental health conditions (MHC) affect people across the world without discrimination. As individuals are affected by a MHC, it will also affect family members as well. Along with a MHC come stigmas and biases. As a family nurse caring for a person with a MHC, it is important to integrate the whole family in care. This will help not only the patient with a MHC, but also the family as well to produce a constructive outcome. In this discussion, the benefits and barriers to incorporating the family into the care of the mental health patient will be examined.
According to American Institute of Stress, 77% of the United States population experience physical symptoms caused by stress. Often times most of the people experiencing stress do not have a clue the “stress” (no pun intended) it is putting on their immune system. The immune system is a huge, complex system tha...
The illness experience, medical treatment, a diagnosis of illness, and fear of developing an il...
The stigma associated with being contracted with a sexually transmitted disease can accelerate the rate of a preexisting mental disorder of an individual. This stigma affects both men and women infected with HIV, but more particularly, minority women (Collins, Unger, and Armbrister 2008). Studying the changes of an individual’s mental health after an HIV diagnosis is substantial in making those individuals’ overall well-being better off. When a person become depressed after his or her diagnosis, they increase their chances of morbidity (Gupta et. al 2010) (Lichtenstein, Laska, and Clair 2002). The gendered issue of promiscuity allows for women to feel more persecuted in terms of their HIV status. Women who have STDs such as HIV/AIDS are viewed as more promiscuous, while men who are infected usually were associated with homosexuality, but now that assumption has been dissipating. So now, minority women find it more stigmatizing to be associated with HIV/AIDS than men tend to be.
Mental illness has long been perceived by the communities as a sign of weakness. Having a diagnosis of a mental illness causes patients and their family members to deal with several competing emotions, thoughts and feelings surrounding the diagnosis. This can be troubling to the family members leaving them with feelings of blame (Corrigan, Druss, & Perlick, 2014). Throughout this discussion board I will describe the benefits and barriers a family may encounter when caring for a mental health patient.
These clients are emotionally, mentally and spiritually suffering from a disease in conjunction with other medical diagnosis. It’s sad to say but many still view these clients as “crazy” people. I admit I was one of those people stigmatizing these clients however, sitting down and simply talking to them has changed my perspective. The pain and suffering they endure is real and it’s not something they can just get over without the support from family, friends and healthcare workers. As disappointing as it sounds, truthfully many people do not seek the support and help needed due to the stigma they anticipate to face and self-burden they consider themselves to be. As future nurses it is our job to help clients not to feel ashamed in seeking out help regarding the mental health crisis they experience. We share the accountability to eliminate mental health stigma and generate a message that all are entitled and worthy in receiving care needed to maintain optimal
It emphasizes health and illnesses as being on a continuum and explores the ways in which psychological factors impact health at all stages. Psychology therefore is involved in illness onset (e.g. beliefs, behaviours (smoking, diet), and stress), help seeking (e.g. symptom perception, illness cognitions, Dr / patient communication), illness adaptation (e.g. coping, behaviour change, social support, pain perception), illness progression (e.g. stress, behaviour change) and health outcomes (e.g. Quality of life, longevity).[3]
Numerous studies point out that the social support is essential for maintaining physical and psychological health. so what is the social support ?
From the moment scientists identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against the groups most affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS. It goes without saying that HIV and AIDS are as much about social phenomena as they are about biological and medical concerns. Across the world the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has shown itself capable of triggering responses of compassion, solidarity and support, bringing out the best in people, their families and communities. But the disease is also associated with stigma, repression and discrimination, as individuals affected (or believed to be affected) by HIV have been rejected by their families, their loved ones and their communities. This rejection holds as true in the rich countries of the north as it does in the poorer countries of the south.
While summarizing the multi-factorial model, many aspects included there can possibly determine different outcomes of people’s health in relation illness. The model shows how biological, environmental, behavioral, personality and social-cultural factors are imperative in relation to some of the leading causes of stress related illnesses. Most importantly, (Hoover, 2000) notes that genetic and lifestyle factors are among a few that simple answers to why some people can maintain their health, while others become ill.