15 November 2010
Depression and Immune Function
Obviously stress, depression, and other psychological factors are difficult to study objectively and even more so in conjunction with something as complex as the immune system. However, there have been new studies recently that suggest that our preconceived notion that immune function is compromised during depressed states may not be true. In fact, it has been shown that depression ramps up immune response, cytokine production, and overall dysregulation in most cases. We are also starting to understand the roles of certain immune mediating medications (IL-2, interferon, etc) that are, in fact, inducing symptoms of depression. The results are not as subjective as one might think. The article is a quick read and not overloaded with technical jargon.
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This is very interesting. As you said, stress is difficult to measure between people because of each persons "tolerance" to handing stress and how they would even record their own stress level. I think short of looking at cortisone or adrenaline levels in the blood during certain stressful circumstances over long periods of time with lots of people while simultaneously looking at immune function, this is very hard to measure. Frankly, after reading this, I don't know what to believe and i'm thoroughly confused.
ReplyDeleteI understand the general adaptation syndrome where we eventually grow a tolerance to stress and might get depressed as a result, but then does this then induce the immune system to work harder? It just seems count intuitive to me. Any further insight would be greatly appreciated!
I find this article very interesting as well but the material was somewhat haunting to read. I am not certain I would agree with the article when it mentioned the drugs being worth the manic/depressive side effects. Although I cannot say for certain, for I have never encountered a potentially fatal condition, but I do not believe I would trade a fairly sane mind for one that that is manic and suicidal regardless of my health condition. In retrospect, how much are these drugs helping patients? Sure they may be demonstrating positivity with respect to immunological physiology, but what about psychologically? Drugs or no drugs, these patients are not well.
ReplyDeleteA family member of mine has Hepatitis C and years ago, she received weekly injections of interferon to boost her immune system. This caused her to lose much of her hair and she recalls feeling low, but fortunately, not depressed. Once she stopped the injections, she tried other alternative medicines, herbal remedies included. Today, she does not receive medicine/treatment for her Hepatitis whatsoever. Instead, her alternative to medicine is a positive mind, a healthy (as possible) body and she really works to downplay stresses that come her way. Her gastroenterologist is astounded after each visit to see how her liver counts, bilirubin concentrations, etc. have substantially decreased to ranges closer to someone without liver disease. Perhaps my family member is a demonstration of a rare anomaly, but I sometimes feel like people jump the gun to medicate themselves. I understand not everyone has the willpower my family member does and I realize sometimes, medical treatment is a must. I would be interested in monitoring/comparing changes in those receiving medicine and those in the mindframe as my family member with immunocompromised conditions.
My mother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and from what I have seen her go through I would have to say I believe that and overly powerful immune system can lead to depression. Ever since her diagnosis almost ten years ago she seems to be far more depressed than before. However, sometimes it is hard for me to decipher if her depression was never apparent to me as a child because maybe she hid it from in order to protect me. Inversely I believe depression can also affect and autoimmune disease in that since my father passed away in an accident 9months ago, she seems to be far more confused and have less efficient brain function. Directions/concepts have been harder to explain to her, yet Im not sure if its depression, her MS progressing or probably both that are leading to her decline in brain function. Either way, I find this article valid based on what I have experienced yet I can see how cases like Whitney mentioned above can vary. It would be interesting to see what it is that causes this variation.
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