Trauma can impact both the brain and immune system. Research shows that traumatic events that cause PTSD result in altered immune cell levels. The type of trauma selected, such as military combat, can have potential lifelong health consequences due to changes in immune and brain function from the trauma. Two examples of lifelong consequences are increased risk of depression and chronic inflammation.

1. Assignment: Trauma And The Immune System PTSD
Assignment: Trauma And The Immune System PTSD ON Assignment: Trauma And The
Immune System PTSD Trauma and the Immune SystemAsk any military veteran or a
survivor of violent crime and you are likely to discover that the impact of trauma extends
beyond the effects of physical injury. For example, in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
it is common to experience manifestations such as nightmares, panic attacks, and
hypersensitivity. Psychoneuroimmunology theories dictate that trauma can also have an
impact on various systems of the body such as the brain and the immune system. For
example, research described in this week’s Learning Resources indicates that traumatic
events that can cause individuals to develop PTSD can result in altered immune cell levels.
Consider whether the altered immune function of those recovering from trauma might have
life-long consequences for health.For this Discussion, review this week’s Learning
Resources. Consider the effects of trauma on the brain and the immune system. Then select
a specific type of trauma. Finally, reflect on two possible life-long consequences of that type
of trauma on health. Assignment: Trauma And The Immune System PTSDWith these
thoughts in mind:Post by Day 4 a brief explanation of the effects of trauma on the brain and
the immune system. Then, briefly describe the type of trauma you selected. Finally, explain
at least two possible life-long consequences of that type of trauma on health. Be specific and
provide examples to your response.Be sure to your posts and responses with specific
references to the Learning Resources. Assignment: Trauma And The Immune System
PTSD READINGSContrada, R. J. (2011). The handbook of stress science: Biology, psychology,
and health. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.Chapter 5, “Behavioral,
Emotional, and Cognitive Sequelae of Immune System Activation” (pp. 65–76)Chapter 25,
“Stress and Depression” (pp. 345–358)Chapter 26, “Stressors and Mental Health Problems
in Childhood and Adolescence,” (pp. 359–372)Chapter 27, “Physical Health Outcomes of
Trauma,” (pp. 373–384)Kendall-Tackett, K. (Ed.). (2010). The psychoneuroimmunology of
chronic disease: Exploring the links between inflammation, stress, and illness. Washington,
DC: American Psychological Association.Chapter 5, “Depression, Hostility, Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder, and Inflammation: The Corrosive Health Effects of Negative Mental States”
(pp. 113–131)Chapter 6, “Cognitive and Behavioral Reactions to Stress Among Adults with
PTSD: Implications for Immunity and Health” (pp. 133–158)Chapter 9, “Treatments for
Depression That Lower Inflammation: Additional for an Inflammatory Etiology of
Depression” (pp. 219–242)Altemus, M., Dhabhar, F., & Ruirong, Y. (2006). Immune Function
in PTSD. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1071(1), 167–183.Retrieved from

2. the Walden Library databases.Dantzer, R. (2012). Depression and inflammation: An
intricate relationship. Biological Psychiatry, 71(1), 4–5.Retrieved from the Walden Library
databases.Dantzer, R., O’Connor, J. C., Freund, G. G., Johnson, R. W., & Kelley, K. W. (2008).
From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the
brain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(1), 46–56.Retrieved from the Walden Library
databases.Gill, J. M., Saligan, L., Woods, S., & Page, G. (2009). PTSD is associated with an
excess of inflammatory immune activities. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 45(4), 262–
277.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Gill, J., Vythilingam, M., & Page, G. G.
(2008). Low cortisol, high DHEA, and high levels of stimulated TNF-?, and IL-6 in women
with PTSD. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 21(6), 530–539.Retrieved from the Walden Library
databases.Howk, C., & Bennett, M. (2010). Immune function and health outcomes in women
with depression. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 4, 3–11.Retrieved from the Walden Library
databases.Leonard, B. E. (2010). The concept of depression as a dysfunction of the immune
system. Current Immunology Reviews, 6(3), 205–212.Copyright 2010 by Bentham Science
Publishers, Ltd. Reprinted by permission of Bentham Science Publishers, Ltd., via the
Copyright Clearance Center.Sarapas, C., Cai, G., Bierer, L. M., Golier, J. A., Galea, S., Ising,
M.,…Yehuda, R. (2011). Genetic markers for PTSD risk and resilience among survivors of the
World Trade Center attacks. Disease Markers, 30(2–3), 101–110.Retrieved from Walden
Library databases.Scott-Tilley, D., Tilton, A., & Sandel, M. (2010). Biologic correlates to the
development of post-traumatic stress disorder in female victims of intimate partner
violence: Implications for practice. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 46(1), 26–36.Retrieved
from Walden Library databases.Wilson, D. R. (2010). Health consequences of childhood
sexual abuse. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 46(1), 56–64.Retrieved from Walden Library
databases.National Institute of Mental Health. (2009). Key molecule in inflammation-related
depression confirmed. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-
news/2009/key-molecule-in-inflammation-related-depression-confirmed.shtmlOptional
ResourcesNational Institute of Mental Health. (2008). Errant stress/immune indicators
detected in depression-prone women’s sweat. Retrieved
from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2008/errant-stress-immune-
indicators-detected-in-depression-prone-womens-sweat.shtmlNational Institute of Mental
Health. (2011). How are depression and chronic pain linked? Retrieved
from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-and-chronic-
pain/index.shtmlOlszanecka-Glinianowicz, M., Zahorska-Markiewicz, B., Koce?ak, P.,
Janowska, J., Semik-Grabarczyk, E., Wikarek, T., …Dabrowski, P. (2009). Is chronic
inflammation a possible cause of obesity-related depression? Mediators of Inflammation, 1–
4.Assignment: Trauma And The Immune System PTSD