6 Ways Stress Impacts Your Immune System—And How Chicago Psychiatrists Can Help
Stress affects the body and the immune system as a whole and can make it easier for individuals to become ill. Improperly or unmanaged stress can lead to bodily chemical shifts, sleeping troubles, body inflammation, and a reduction in the ability to fight infections. If an individual is always feeling exhausted or unwell, stress may be the culprit.
Fortunately, help is out there for individuals who suffer from stress. Consulting with a top psychiatrist Chicago can offer effective methods to relieve stress, enhance mental health, and, in the end, elevate the immune system.
Let’s take a look at six ways stress could sabotage the immune system and the available help provided by psychiatrists in Chicago.
1. Stress increases cortisol levels, which restricts the immune system from functioning properly.
In the case of stress, the body naturally begins to produce cortisol. This particular hormone gives the body energy to deal with short-term challenges. However, in the case of perpetual stress, cortisol production is increased while the ability to effectively combat viruses and bacteria becomes increasingly suppressed.
How Chicago psychiatrists can help:
Psychiatrists recommend the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness in order to better control hormones associated with stress. Lowering the production of cortisol provides the body with the ability to enhance its immune system’s functioning.
2. Persistent Stress Induces Inflammation
While inflammation is your body’s natural defensive strategy, an overwhelming amount of stress can prove detrimental. Prolonged stress can lead to heightened inflammation, thereby increasing the chances of autoimmune diseases and infections.
How Chicago psychiatrists can help:
It’s possible for therapists to teach stress and inflammation-management techniques, such as slow deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, to lower chronic inflammation and improve health.
3. Stress Impedes Sleep, Resulting in Reduced Immune System Effectiveness
Stress-related insomnia can lead to the decreased production of infection-fighting cells and antibodies. Infection-fighting cells can be less active due to lack of sleep, which worsens the chances of catching a cold or becoming ill.
How Chicago psychiatrists can help:
Psychiatrists can establish healthy sleep patterns and bolster immune function with specialized sleep treatments, relaxation techniques, or even medication if required.
4. Anxiety and Depression Affect Negative Activity of White Blood Cells
Due to excess stress leading to anxiety and depression, there is diminished capacity for white blood cells to form. White blood cells serve as the first line of defense in the immune system, which means that the body will be more exposed to infections with lower white blood cell levels.
How Chicago psychiatrists can help:
A psychiatrist can provide evidence-based treatments like therapy and medication to improve mood and restore immune system balance.
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5. Stress Heightens Risky Behavior That Harms Immunity
To cope with stress, a lot of people take up smoking or drinking alcohol excessively or adopt bad eating habits, all of which are detrimental to the immune system.
How Chicago psychiatrists can help:
Psychologists have a specialization in psychotherapy that enables patients to change their damaging habits and learn self-soothing behaviors.
6. Chronic Stress Slows Down Healing
When a person is constantly stressed, their body takes significantly longer to heal wounds or recover from infections. This occurs because stress takes away energy that would be used for healing and instead directs it to survival.
How Chicago psychiatrists can help:
Psychiatrists attempt to individualize stress-relief techniques to enhance recovery and wellbeing.
Conclusion
There is a direct connection between your state of mind and the immune system. Chronic stress can not only affect your mental health but can also make you physically sick. The good part is, you don’t have to deal with stress on your own.
Chicago psychiatrists can assist you in crafting self-help techniques that aid in maintaining both mental and physical wellbeing. If stress is negatively impacting your health, perhaps turning to a professional is the answer you are looking for to feel better.
