HSS 2321 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Psychoneuroimmunology, Hans Selye, Basic Belief

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HSS 2321
• Professor: Kirsti Bissada

Document Summary

Socio-psychological aspects of health and illness & effects of lifestyle. Evidence from a wide variety of studies indicates that the mind and the body are related. Perceptions, feelings, expectations, and thoughts affect aspects of bodily functions such as heart rate and blood pressure. At times, psychosocial difficulties become physical illnesses, at other times they may mimic physical illnesses and be considered pyschosomatic illness. Stress occurs when an organism must deal with demands much greater than the usual level of activity or perceived activity. The theory that ties the mind and body together is called psychoneuroimmunology. Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the interrelations between the central nervous system and the immune system. Cannon and selye were involved in the early articulation and measurement of stress. Cannon - health defined not by the absence of disease but rather ability of the human being to function satisfactorily in the particular environment.