Chronic diseases can be influenced by and influence chronic stress through complex relationships. The document discusses how stress may exacerbate chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis through effects on the immune system. It prompts the reader to reflect on a chronic disease and how it could impact or be impacted by stress, and to propose a behavioral intervention that may help treat the disease by addressing stress. The discussion suggests taking a holistic perspective to better understand and manage relationships between stress and chronic illness.

1. Assignment: Chronic Disease and Stress
Assignment: Chronic Disease and Stress ON Assignment: Chronic Disease and
StressImagine the added stress caused by a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or another
chronic disease. Chronic disease, by nature, is long-lasting and has a slow progression that
can lead to prolonged stress. From a psychoneuroimmunological perspective, there are
complex relationships between stress, immunological functioning, and disease. In what
ways might stress resulting from chronic disease affect the immune system and the
progression of the disease? Theoretically, stressful events trigger the initial and subsequent
exacerbation of chronic disease. For example, moderate stressors are known to exacerbate
multiple sclerosis resulting in an increased frequency of lesions. Consider how a holistic
framework for understanding these relationships might lead to better treatment and
interventions for chronic diseases. Assignment: Chronic Disease and StressFor this
Discussion, review this week’s Learning Resources. Select a chronic disease other than
multiple sclerosis that is influenced by chronic stress. Next, reflect on how the disease you
selected might influence chronic stress. Then search the Walden Library for at least two
articles on behavioral interventions and select one intervention that might qualify as a
treatment for the disease you selected.Note: You may select a chronic disease from any of
those mentioned in this week’s Learning Resources, including the Chronic Diseases: A
Partial List handout.With these thoughts in mind:Post by Day 4 a brief description of the
chronic disease you selected, and explain how that chronic disease might influence chronic
stress. Then, describe the specific behavioral intervention you selected, and explain why it
might be effective as a treatment of that chronic disease. Be specific.Be sure to your posts
and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.READINGSBreedlove, S.
M., & Watson, N. V. (2018). Behavioral neuroscience (8th ed.) New York, NY: Oxford
University Press.Chapter 15, “Emotions, Aggression, and Stress” (pp. 467-496)Contrada, R.
J., & Baum, A. (Eds.). (2011). The handbook of stress science: Biology, psychology, and
health. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.Chapter 1, “Stress, Adaptation, and
Health” (pp. 1–9)Chapter 2, “Regulation of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, Chronic
Stress, and Energy: The Role of Brain Networks” (pp. 11–36)Chapter 4, “Effects of Stress on
Immune Function: Implications for Immunoprotection and Immunopathology” (pp. 47–
63)Chapter 7, “The Molecular Biology of Stress: Cellular Defense, Immune Response, and
Aging” (pp. 87–100)Kendall-Tackett, K. (2010). The psychoneuroimmunology of chronic
disease: Exploring the links between inflammation, stress, and illness. Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.Chapter 1, “An Overview of Stress and Immunity” (pp.

2. 9–22)Frick, L. R., Arcos, M. L. B., Rapanelli, M. P., Zappia, M., Brocco, M., Mongini, M.,
Cremaschi, G. A. (2009). Chronic restraint stress impairs T-cell immunity and promotes
tumor progression in mice. Stress: International Journal on the Biology of Stress, 12(2),
134–143.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Lewitus, G. M., & Schwartz, M.
(2009). Behavioral immunization: Immunity to self-antigens contributes to psychological
stress resilience. Molecular Psychiatry, 14(5), 532–536.Retrieved from the Walden Library
databases.Segerstrom, S. C. (2010). Resources, stress, and immunity: An ecological
perspective on human psychoneuroimmunology. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(1),
114–125.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Ziemssen, T., & Kern, S. (2007).
Psychoneuroimmunology—Cross-talk between the immune and nervous systems. Journal
of Neurology, 254(2), II/8–II/11.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Chronic diseases and health promotion. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htmNational Cancer Institute.
(n. d.). Psychological stress and cancer: Questions and answers. Retrieved
from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/stressDocument: Chronic
Diseases: A Partial List Handout (Word document)Note: You can use this document to
complete this week’s Discussion 2.Document: Final Project (Word document)Note: You will
use this document to complete your Final Project.Optional ResourcesAmerican
Psychological Association. (2006). Stress weakens the immune system. Retrieved
from http://www.apa.org/research/action/immune.aspxCollins L. G., & Swartz, K. (2011).
Caregiver care. American Family Physician, 83(11), 1309–1317.Assignment: Chronic
Disease and Stress