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Stress, Depression and the Immune System
Kelly Donn
Bryant & Stratton College Online
PSYC101: Principles of Psychology
Instructor: Jenny Heilborn
May 26, 2015

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Abstract
Many people deal with stress and depression, but does one know how the two take a toll
on your immune system? First, one needs to know the true meaning of stress and depression.
This paper will state the meaning and signs of stress and depression. Also will review some of
the treatment options for stress and depression. Furthermore, will state the affect that stress and
depression does to your immune system.

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Meaning, signs and treatment for stress
Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very
demanding circumstances. Stress is our body’s way of responding to any kind of demand. It can
be caused by both good and bad experiences. People can feel stressed by something, when this
happened our body reacts by releasing chemicals into the blood. The chemicals give people more
energy and strength, this can cause physical damage to the body. It also can be a good thing if
the stress was caused by a fear. There are many different types of stress from fear of something
dangerous and also worry over family and or job. (Rathus, 2014)
Identify what your point of stress is from is the first step for treatment. Four types
of stress and the causes.
 Survival Stress – When you are afraid that someone or something may physically
hurt you.
 Internal Stress – When people worry about something they cannot control
 Environmental Stress – When things around you such as noise, crowding, and
pressure from work or family.
 Fatigue and Overwork – When stress builds up over a lone time and can take a
hard toll one your body.
Stress can cause our body to become weak, tired and sick, also can make one unable to
think clearly. Stress can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, it can also affect our
digestive system with gastric ulcers. Stress also leads to headaches, diabetes, and asthma. Stress
can also cause a person to have a mental breakdown if the stress is to major for our body to

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handle. When a person becomes too stressed they resort into to other options that will cause
other health issues such as smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet, lack of sleep and lack of
exercise. (Mcleod, 2010, para. 8)
Treatment for stress is not a medication, rather treatment is something you have to do
some examples are take deep breaths, talk to somebody you trust, write down why you are
stressed and the way it makes you feel, exercise, eat health and make time for more things you
love. (ADAA, 2015, para. 1)
Meaning, Signs and Treatment for Depression
Depression is a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and
unimportant and often is unable to live a normal way. Life has it normal ups and downs and
some feel sad from time to time. That is not a sign of depression. The signs for depression is
emptiness and despair, as if something has takin hold of your life and will not let go. Depression
sometimes makes some people feel lifeless, empty and apathetic. Sometimes one can feel angry,
aggressive and restless in men in particular. (Healthline, 2015)
Signs and symptoms for depression and they won’t go away, can be signs of clinical
depression.
 Can’t sleep or sleeping to much
 Can’t concentrate
 Feeling hopeless or helpless
 Unable to control negative thoughts
 Loss of appetite

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 Irritable, aggressive, short-tempered
 Thoughts that life is not worth living (Heathline, 2015, para. 1)
Depression can also affect your body in bad ways. Without proper diet because you are
depressed can make your immune system weak and also the lack of sleep or too much sleep.
Depression comes in many forms from major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. Each
form has different types of treatment. (Helpguide, 2015, para 15) Depression also affects the
cardiovascular and immune system, depression makes the heart rate increase and the blood
vessels tighten. Over a long period of depression can put you in risk of heart disease. (Healthline,
2015, para. 10)
Treatment for depression is not a “one-size fits all”. Although you can treat depression
with medication you cannot rely just on medicine. Learn what you can about your depression
and get a social support. Lifestyle change can help treat depression also, start an exercise routine,
change your eating habits and make sure you are getting between 7-9 hours of sleep at night.
(Healthguide, 2015, para. 2)
Stress, Depression and Your Immune System
As previously stated in this paper stress and depression can cause make effects on your
immune system. Both stress and depression cause cardiovascular issues and a long prolong time
can do major damage. While one is stressed or depressed they tend to get sick more often than
others because they are not properly taking care of their bodies. (Rathus, 2015)

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Conclusion
A person only has one body, they should know the signs and symptoms that their bodies
are telling them and listen. Stress and depression can take a major toll on the body and can cause
a lot of damage. Something as simple as a life style change, change your surroundings and make
time for their selves. If you or somebody you know is suffering with stress or depression try to
help or understand their problem, help them get help.

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Reference
ADAA. (2015). Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress. Retrieved from
http://www.adaa.org/tips-manage-anxiety-and-stress
American Psychological Association. (2015). Stress Weakens the Immune System. Retrieved
from
http://www.apa.org/research/action/immune.aspx
Discovery Medicine. (2015). Stress Damages Immune System and Health. Retrieved from
http://www.discoverymedicine.com/Ronald-Glaser/2009/07/18/stress-damages-immune-
system-and-health/
Healthline Networks. (2015). The Effects of Depression on the Body. Retrieved from
http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/effects-on-body
Helpguide. (2015). Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs. Retrieved from
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-signs-and-symptoms.htm
Helpguide. (2015). Treatment for Depression. Retrieved from
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-treatment.htm
McLeod, S. A. (2010). Stress, Illness and the Immune System. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/stress-immune.html
Psychology Today. (2015). Depression Hurts the Immune System. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200312/depression-hurts-the-immune-system
Rathus, S. A. (2014). Psych (3rd Edition). Belmont: Wadswoth, Cengage Learning.