2023-04-30 11:13:20
Experts say people feel sad or blue when they are sick. The picture shows a man with a cold. (Shutterstock)
[The Epoch Times, April 30, 2023](Reported by Epoch Times reporter Chen Juncun) People feel sad or depressed when they are sick, and it is even difficult to deal with simple things in daily life. In this regard, some experts have explained the exact reasons.
Writing for Psychology Today, American psychologist Betsy Holmberg said that whenever she was sick, she felt sad and weak, unable to handle normal life things like walking the dog and cook.
And there are many people in the same situation as her. Studies have shown that in the early stages of illness or depression, people cannot correctly identify whether they are sick or depressed.
When the body’s immune system kicks in, people feel tired, lose their appetite and don’t want to socialize, she said. These “illness behaviors” help the body conserve energy to fight pathogens and avoid spreading illness to family members.
But why do people have depressed thoughts and feelings? Why do you feel sad or irritable?
Cytokines, proteins produced by the immune system that are involved in inflammation, signal an attack, like a fire alarm, Holmberg said. They hunt around for immune cells (like firefighters) to help fight infection or injury.
When the brain’s immune cells, microglia, hear the cytokine’s alarm, they fire up, causing damage to nearby nerve tissue. They not only reduce neuroplasticity (the ability of brain nerves to change structure and function), but also interfere with the supply of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, and even cause cell death.
These biological effects produce the symptoms of depression. For example, when a group of people without depressive symptoms were given the hepatitis B vaccine with the cytokines, about a third developed depressive symptoms. They experience guilt, feel pessimistic and morose, and are self-critical.
This immune response can also make it harder for a person to deal with routine matters. This is because when people are sick, the brain has to work harder to maintain normal levels.
Holmberg concluded by saying that the next time you’re sick and feeling sad and having trouble coping with everything, remember that it’s not a situation you can control. Your immune system is taking the lead. You should accept these “disease behaviors”.
Lighten up your daily workload as much as possible and take a break, she advises. Be kind to yourself and understand that your life is okay, you are just sick.
Responsible editor: Jasmine
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