Are Mental Health Diagnoses Related To Immune System Dysregulation
Mental health is imperative for proper body functioning, including the immune system. Brain activities are responsible for biological responses initiated during inflammation and are, therefore, closely related to human immunity. Damages in the brain negatively affect the entire body system. Psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent in the general population due to the existence of many life stressors. The occurrence of mental illnesses can lead to immune dysfunctions. It is worth noting that some psychiatric conditions create high risks of autoimmune diseases, which can be understood by exploring events surrounding their occurrence. Primarily, this paper seeks to examine incidents of autoimmune disease co-occurrence as well as the relationship between mental health diagnoses and immune system dysregulation.
Mental Health Diagnoses
It is difficult to determine the presence of mental illness by only observing the physical symptoms. Physicians and psychiatrists use distinct ways of identifying mental health complications, including physical examination, laboratory tests, and psychological evaluation. A doctor may check the general health, the functioning of body organs, and one-on-one interviews. Therefore, it requires one to have comprehensive information, such as the patient’s health history. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides a standard for determining and classifying various mental disorders, which is used by medical professionals in performing informed diagnoses of psychiatric conditions.
Immune System Dysregulation
The human immune system is a complex and inclusive structure responsible for fighting infections within the body. Ideally, all treatment approaches are based on the comprehension of immune system functioning. It plays a crucial role in keeping the body resistant from foreign attacks. In understanding the link between mental health and autoimmune disease, it is necessary to research on reactions and overreactions that occurs in the process of ensuring the safety of the body. Immune dysregulation helps in mediating inflammation when a person is suffering from enduring autoimmune diseases.. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Autoimmune Disease Co-Occurring
Autoimmune diseases are found to co-exist with among individuals or even members of the same family. Scholars and health scientists have put a lot of effort in the quest to understand whether comorbid autoimmune diseases can be used to determine the valid reason for co-occurring conditions. Some of the chronic diseases found to co-exist in people include insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In-depth research has been recommended to ascertain the extent of autoimmune diseases coexistence within individuals and the environmental factors that influence the underscored event.
The Connection between Inflammation Markers and Mental Health Symptoms
In recent times, remarkable efforts have been put to understand the relationship between the mental health and physiological state of the body. It has been discovered the mind and the body have a great link, which is more direct than ever imagined. Inflammation refers to a defense reaction initiated by the body upon detecting a foreign agent, attack, or pathogen. It causes soreness around the affected place due to the chemical response. Some of the body proteins that determine the sensitivity of baseline blood during inflammation include to C– reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, as well as interleukin (IL)-6. These inflammatory markers are released to the bloodstream after an infection triggering a defense reaction. The composition of these proteins in the blood can be tested using various tools to understand the severity of inflammation.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments and Reduction in Mental Health Symptoms
Anti-inflammatory drugs are considered useful in the treatment of mental disorders. Previous research works have attempted to explain the efficiency and association between anti-inflammatory drugs in managing disorders such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorders, among others. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, anti-TNF alpha, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are considered useful in treating mental illnesses.
Conclusion
Primarily, mental health diagnoses are associated with immune system dysregulation, which can be explained through various incidents of autoimmune disease co-occurrence. Traditional catecholamine or biogenic amine has a close link to the change in moods due to neurotransmitter imbalances and are used to alleviate mental disorders. Mood disorders, MDD, thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and substance use disorders are among the commonly co-occurring diseases in mentally ill people.
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