Immunity and Effect of Emotions

You would find that one is more disease-prone when under stress. Many of us tend to catch eye flu, colds, or viral fever when exposed to prolonged periods of emotional stress or tension. It has been proved experimentally that immunological functions of animals get altered if stressful environments are created. In humans too significant change in lymphocytes' count and function had been documented in subjects whose spouses were died within previous six to eight weeks. Lowered values of cellular and humoral immunity parameters have also been documented in students during examination periods. The science of 'psychoimmunology' has well established experimental models to demonstrate the effect of emotions on immunological parameters. Theoretically, the stress could affect the immune system in two ways; it may suppress the immune system or may make it hyperactive.


The suppressed immune system may invite more viral infections or may flare-up the autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Assessment of links between the emotions and immunity has gained a great clinical importance. Psychological support and counseling in addition to therapeutic measures have been helpful in improving the health of many with autoimmune diseases, allergic asthma, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) etc. You must have observed that many patients visiting overcrowded hospitals get upset seeing a different doctor or attitude of an over busy doctor. The emotional stress of patients in response to doctor’s attitude has been found altering the drug response of patients. The therapeutic treatment in totality needs a balance between the emotions and immunity of a patient for quick recovery.