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NS15 - Stess + psychoneuroimmunology (i) (stress (appraised by CNS (cortex…
NS15 - Stess + psychoneuroimmunology (i)
stress
mismatch between perceived demands + perceived abilities/coping resources
can be physical/psychology
subjective experience
difficult to measure
psychological interpretation plays a role in individual stress responses
genetic + environment
impacts on physical health via the immune system
stressors = circumstances that people find stressful
appraised by CNS
cortex generates cognitive response
limbic system generates emotional response
hypothal activates stress (hyperarousal)
amygdala causes fast stress responses (ANS - short-lived, uses short-term energy stores)
psycho(endo)neuroimmunology
interdisciplinary field
bidirectional relationships between psychological + biological processes
Taxonomy of stressors
distinguishes stressors based on duration + course
5 categories...
1) acute time stressors
can be beneficial
ANS activation -> optimal cognitive functioning (focus, memory etc) (adaptive)
e.g. public speaking
increase non-specific immunity, decrease specific immunity (patterns same for 5-100 mins)
2) brief naturalistic stressors
longer than acute, but still a defined time period with an end
e.g. exams
can be beneficial but not always
no effect on immune cell numbers
decreases cellular immunity, increases humeral immunity
changes ck production profile
effect on immunity more pronounced in the elderly + those with chronic illness
3) Stressful event sequences
stressful events that follow after 1 focal event (bereavement, natural disaster)
challenges to come are unclear
sense it will subside
no reliable change in immunity until event types are divided
bereavement: less NKs (esp in order women)
natural disasters: nothing
4) chronic stressors
stable, unknown if it will end, requires life restructuring
e.g. bullying, caregiving
worst for health -> allostatic load (wear + tear of chronic stress on physical health)
no effect on immune cell numbers
affects all functional aspects of immune system (global immunosuppression) - for all ages + genders
5) distant stressors
traumatic experience in distant past with long-lasting stressful consequences
e.g. violent crime, sexual assault
childhood trauma affects adult functioning
epigenic (can affect gene expression
disregulates brain pathways
no change in immunity, but not enough research due to recall bias (relying on memory)
in summary
short-term stress increases immunoprotection (pathology)
long-term stress increases immunosuppression (pathology)
people with generally stressful lives don't have immune disregulation EXCEPT the elderly + those with immunological disease (e.g. AIDS)
people who report having intrusive thoughts have less NKs
statistically significant immune changes in 5 stress categories but are inconsistent