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Therapeutic Approaches And Counselling

Question
CBSEENPS12041856

Explain the effect of stress on the immune system. How social support can lead to positive health and well being? Discuss.

Solution
Effects of stress on the immune system:-
Stress can affect the immune system by impairing the workings of the immune system. The immune system guards the body against attackers both from within and outside the body. Stress can affect natural killer cell cytotoxicity, which is of major importance in the defence against various infections and cancer.
Psychological stress is accompanied by negative emotions and associated behaviours including depression, hostility, anger and aggression.People under prolonged stress are more prone to irrational fears, mood swings and phobias.Negative moods have been associated with poorer health outcomes.

Social support – the existence and availability of people on whom we can rely upon, people who let us know that they care about, value and love us.
Perceived support – the quality of social support is positively related to health and well being mostly provided by family and friends.
Social network – the quality of social support is unrelated to well being.
Stress can affect natural killer cell cytotoxicity, which is of major importance in the defence against carious infections and cancer.