The daughter of a severely depressed patient asks the nurse "What do you think about the relationship between depression and physical illness? Since my mother has been grieving over my father's death, she has had colds, shingles, and the flu, and

Question

she's usually not one to get sick.". The answer that best reflects the current thinking about psychoimmunology is: a. "It is probably a coincidence. Not much evidence is available that emotions like grieving make one prone to physical illnesses.".
b. "You might be paying more attention to your mother since your father died, and you are noticing more things such as minor illnesses.".
c. "So far, the research on emotions or stress and becoming ill more easily is unclear—we just do not know for sure if there is a link.".
d. "Emotions and stress are believed to interfere with white blood cell production and can increase the likelihood of infectious diseases.".

Answer 1

D
Option D best explains evidence-based thinking. Research does support a link between negative emotions and/or prolonged stress and impaired immune system functioning, such as reduced white blood cell production. Activation of the immune system sends proinflammatory cytokines to the brain, and the brain in turn releases it own cytokines that signal the central nervous system to initiate myriad responses to stress. Prolonged stress suppresses the immune system and lowers resistance to infections. Although the daughter may be more aware of issues involving her mother, the pattern of illnesses described may be an increase from the mother's baseline.