September 24, 2005
Coping Skills for Scleroderma
It's Saturday so I'm taking a break. Here is some info that I'd lke to share from the website http://askwaltstollmd.com/archives/cliffs/29445.html
Author Cliff Garner 1/10/2000, says: "Henry Dreher authored an interesting article titled “Immune Power Personality," which appeared in the Autumn 1996 issue of the Noetic Sciences Review. He reminds us that psychological factors influence the immune system and the body's network of defense and healing. We blame much on stress, but stress is inevitable and sometimes a positive force. It is not stress itself, but how we cope with it that determines how our bodies are affected. How we cope is largely dependent on our personalities (and I would add, on our spiritual beliefs). Dreher presents the findings of seven researchers each of whom has studied one immune power trait. These are given below.
1. Psychologist Gary Schwartz, Ph.D., addresses what he calls the "ACE factor," attention, connection and expression. He showed that people who are in tune with their mind-body signals of fatigue, pain, discomfort, distress, anger, sadness and pleasure cope better psychologically, exhibit a better immune profile, and have a healthier cardiovascular system.
2. Psychologist James Pennebaker, Ph.D., focused on the capacity to confide. He found that people who confide their feelings, traumas and secrets to others and to themselves have healthier psychological profiles, greater immune responses, and fewer incidences of illness.
3. Psychologist Suzanne Ouellette, Ph.D., developed the concept of personality hardness, which includes a sense of control over one’s life, health and social conditions, a strong
commitment to one's work, creative activities and relationships, and looks at stress as a challenge rather than as a threat. These people have stronger immune systems and fewer illnesses.
4. Psychoneuroimmunologist George Solomon, MD, studied assertiveness. His finding was that people who assert their needs and feelings have stronger immune responses, and the ability to overcome a range of diseases usually associated with immune dysfunction. He also noted that the ability to find meaning in “stressful circumstances" also promoted immune enhancement.
5. Motivational psychologist David McClelland, Ph.D., focused on what he called affilliative trust or the motive of unconditional love. He showed that people who are strongly motivated to form relationships with others based on unconditional love have enhanced immune function and reduced illnesses.
6. While heading the Institute for the Advancement of Health, Alan Luks carried out a large survey which showed that altruistic people who commit themselves to helping others suffer fewer illnesses.
7. Psychologist Patricia Linville, Ph.D., focused on self-complexity. People who explore many facets of their personalities, so-called "self-aspects," are better able to handle stress, depression, physical symptoms, etc., and have fewer illnesses. These people have strengths to fall back on when one aspect of themselves is wounded or lost."
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