9/8/10 A new study suggests that being rejected in social situations can do more than cause hurt feelings; it may actually increase inflammation and make you sick.
Researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles have found that rejection increases the same inflammatory proteins that drive conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, depression, cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer.
“Usually you see increases in inflammatory activity due to physical injury. If you have a cut in the arm you see increases in inflammatory activity and that’s very adaptive because that response can help fight off pathogens and reduce the likelihood of infection,” says study author George M. Slavich, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the UCLA Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology. “It’s interesting that you can get increases in inflammatory activity by exposure to social stressors.”
This new study, published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences involved 124 healthy participants who were put through two potentially stressful social situations: First, the volunteers were brought into a lab and given five minutes to prepare a speech and five minutes to deliver it. Then they were asked to count backwards from 2,935 by increments of seven or 13.
During the public speaking tasks, two researchers dressed “officially” in lab coats expressed frustration and disapproval at participants’ speed and ability.
Before and after the public speaking tests, oral swabs were taken to measure levels of inflammation while they were exposed to these social stressors. Researchers looked for increases in two inflammatory markers – tumor necrosis factor alpha, or TNF-alpha, and interleukin-6.
During the second part of the study, participants were given MRI brain scans while they played a computerized game of catch.
Though they were actually playing against the computer, they were led to believe that they were playing against other people.
Halfway through the game, the computer dropped the participant from the game of catch in an attempt to create a feeling of social rejection.
Researchers then studied the brain scans to assess neural activity during those moments of social rejection.
What scientists found was that the participants who were dropped from the game had more activity in brain areas related to stress and rejection. They also experienced larger increases in their inflammatory markers.
I hope for you all healing, love, and great friends!
I have found that focusing my mind and body on positive things is much healthier then looking for negative things that may or may not trigger flare ups.
If you can work with a physical therapist that will help you not only physically but emotionally. A good work out is great for body and mind. If you can't do that, the Arthritis Foundation has free workouts on their website that you can do everyday to keep your joints moving.
You and you alone have the power to decide what you will spend the day thinking about.
There are so many beautiful books available that will tell you how loved and cherished you are by God. No rejection there.
I hope and pray you will begin to let go of the past and focus on a future filled with love and working those joints!
Like all of you, I had a tough childhood, with abuse from the age of 11 onwards. But the year it really got bad was when one of my children died: I needed 3 abdominal surgeries that year, like my body just fell apart. (Lap-choli, TAH, appendectomy) Now, at age 56, I am just beginning to have the time to investigate all the websites. And it does seem to me that there is MORE RA now than ever before. I sure hope the doctors and researchers figure it out soon!
GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL! KERRI
Prayer, and lots of it, as well as forgiveness and letting go of things that hurt - I am hoping will relieve some of the pain I am dealing with. Thanks SO much for sharing this information!
With hurt feelings and disappointments a person hurt all over.
Mom was skeptical
After I matured and had 2 children and a Bout with cancer then the Doc told My mom all the other issues going on with me R.A and so On and then She understood all the reasons for the Pain
I am now 45 and Just diagnoised with MS and to this day My Brother who thinks He is MR all That Still shows No compassion for anyone who has a Problem as Mine
I do not ask For Any sympathy Actually I am just the Opposite I dont want anyone to know my business I prefer No one knows I have the Issues I do as I want no Sympathy
I do believe In Karma and what goes around Comes around 10 Fold so Anyone who looks down there nose @ us with Our Serious Pain Issues Is going to Get it back Someday
Thanks so much.
Jeri
I feel that because I did not have the support of family especially my sister at that time before and after my pregnancy and my son birth, that my RA came out. My RA Dr. told me that stress surely brought it out.
I am a single parent, at this time an empty Nester and Life is in Session and Life is good.
There are times though that due to concerns, issues and yes stress that being singled out from a gathering because family and friends think that I can't attend without even asking me makes me depressed. I am a Bionic Mom, having two hips and two recent knee replacements and carrying on. I am independent but ask for help when needed which I have learned to do. Life is not easy, things are improving, but it will take time. Still fell like a social outcast often.
Thank you.
All this kinda makes sense.
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