Psychoimmunotherapy

Question 1

Psychoimmunology

Answer 1

The link between psychological states and immune function (endocrinology).
- Stress and depression are the major areas of interest

Question 2

General adaptation syndrome

Answer 2

Model that describes the physical response the body has to stress in three stages:

1. Alarm
   - Body is mobilised/aroused against stressor [fight or flight response, via sympathetic arousal]
2. Resistance
   - The body attempts to counteract sympathetic arousal
   - If stress is still experienced, arousal stays high as the body aims to defend/adapt to stressor
3. Exhaustion
   - Resources are depleted, can lead to collapse: depression, anxiety, tiredness.

Question 3

Allostasis

Answer 3

The process of the body actively trying to cope with stress

- The longer stress is prolonged= the increase in allostatic load

Question 4

Allostatic load

Answer 4

The physiological costs of prolonged exposure to fluctuating/ elevated neural or endocrine response to stress.

Measures:

• Decreased cell mediated immunity
• Inability to decrease cortisol levels in response to any type of stress

Question 5

Stress definition

Answer 5

A negative experience of a response to a stressor

- Accompanied by predictable changes aimed at altering the stressful event

Question 6

Transactional model of stress

Answer 6

Describes response to stress.

1. Stressor is initially faced with primary appraisal
   - Stressor can be viewed as positive/neutral, hence does not lead to stress
   - If viewed as negative/ harmful/ challenging= secondary appraisal
2. Secondary appraisal- describes the thinking about coping abilities for the negatively perceived stressor
   - If coining abilities cannot overcome the threat/harm of stressor= leads to stress

Question 7

Reactivity to stress

Answer 7

The magnitude of autonomic, neuroendocrine and immune response to stress

In prolonged stress, Higher reactivity= worse health outcome due to high allostatic load

Question 8

Major modes of coping with stress

Answer 8

Emotion-focused: tends to be used in uncontrollable situations (e.g death of a loved one)

• Behavioral [e.g drugs, alcohol, support from friends, distraction)
• Cognitive [thinking about stressful situation]

Problem-focused: reducing demands of situation
- Increasing resources to deal with stressful situation

Question 9

Depression and its effects immunity.

Answer 9

Impairs immunity, greater depression= more impaired immune function
- May directly affect immune function, or lead to unhealthy behaviour that leads to poor health

Increases susceptibility to infections

Slows down wound healing

Decreased number and function of lymphocytes/ NK cells

Changes pro-inflammatory cytokines

Increases IL-6

Question 10

Direct and indirect effects of social support on health

Answer 10

Direct

• Psychosocial influences on endocrine and immune function
• People will physically be less stressed when they have people supporting them.

Indirect
- Better social support= more likely to adhere to medication and use health services.

Question 11

Personality and mood w/ immunity

Answer 11

Personality is difficult to modify BUT
- A more optimistic, emotional expressive= NK cell function increases, proliferation of Th cells

Mood: better mood= better immune function.

• Comedies increase immune function
• Positive events have long-lasting effects on immune function, compared to negative events