Transcript Stress_and_Immune_Fu..

Stress and Immune
Functioning
An Investigation Into
Psychoneuroimmunology
by Lyndsey White
Have You Ever Had a Cold During
Finals Week?
Did you know that
stressors that lasted a
month or more (like
the duration of an
academic quarter at
OSU) were the best
predictor for
developing colds?
(Kiecolt-Glaser et al.,
2002)
Academic Stress & Decreased
Immune Functioning
• In a study of college students,
wounds placed on their hard
palates 3 days before a major
test healed an average of 40%
slower than wounds made on
the SAME individuals during
summer vacation.
• These students also had lower
levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1),
and important immunological
mediator during exams (KiecoltGlaser et al., 2002).
Acute vs. Chronic Stress
• An exam is an example of a commonplace
stressor that is considered short-term or acute
in nature.
• By becoming more comfortable or familiar in a
acute stressful situation (such as becoming an
“expert” test taker) immune responses can
become more transient and relatively benign.
• Chronic or long-term stress is more resistant to
behavioral coping, and is associated with
elevated hormone levels even after repeated
exposure (Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 2002).
Examples of Chronic Stress Include:
Burnout at work
Isolation and exposure to
hostile climates
Unemployment
Being a caregiver to a ill
family member
Exposure to natural
disasters
Chronically abrasive
personal relationships
Any long-term stress
considered unpredictable
and uncontrollable (KiecoltGlaser et al., 2002)
Dysregulation of Immune Functioning Due to
Chronic Stress Has Been Associated With:
 Greater risk for infectious diseases
and bacterial infections
 Higher incidences of certain
Cancers
 Decreased wound healing
 Possible etiology and exacerbation
of Autoimmune Diseases (multiple
sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc)
 Increased disease progression in
HIV
(Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 2002;
Kiecolt-Glaser & Glaser, 2001 )
How Does Stress Influence
Immune Function?
Stress can provoke the
release of pituitary and
adrenal hormones that
have multiple effects on
immune functioning.
Distress enhances the
production of proinflammatory cytokines,
including IL-6, which is
a marker for chronic
inflammation.
Stress can also lead to
unhealthy behaviors,
such as lack of sleep,
poor nutrition,
decreased exercise,
and greater propensity
for alcohol and drug
abuse. These
behaviors also effects
immune function
(Kiecolt-Glaser et al.,
2002, p. 543).
Some Stress is Inevitable,
But Long Term Coping Mechanisms Can Decrease
Negative Immune Responses
1.
Do not take on more tasks
than you can handle
2. Deal with stressful events
at once
3. Be flexible
4. Realize that you are not
perfect
5. Be assertive
6. Learn to say “No”
7. Consider locus of control
8. Avoid making too many
changes at once
9. Prepare for stressful events
10. Express your feelings
(Creer, 1997)
Develop Ways of Managing Your Time
1. Set realistic goals
2. Organize your time based
on priorities
3. Break down tasks
4. Attack one task at a time
5. Schedule personal time
for yourself
6. If overwhelmed eliminate
some tasks/duties (Creer,
1997)
Take Care of Yourself
Get plenty of sleep
Eat a balanced diet
Be physically active
Avoid drug and
alcohol abuse
Develop friendships
Use your support
systems
(Creer, 1997)
Resources To Help You Reduce Stress
• OSU’s Counseling & Consultation Service
Younkin Success Center
1640 Neil Avenue, 4th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43201
Phone: 614-292-5766, FAX: 614-688-3440
• University Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (UFSAP)
614-292-4472
• Stress Related Articles from OSUMC
http://careconnection.osu.edu/hospitalsandservices/publications/
References
Creer, T. L. (1997). Psychology of adjustment: An applied approach.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., & Glaser, R. (2001). Stress and immunity: Age
enhances the risks. Current Directions in Psychological Science,
10, 18-20.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., McGuire, L. Robles, T. R., & Glaser, R. (2002).
Psychoneuroimmunology: Psychological influences on immune
function and health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology, 70, 537-547.