Question

Maria is a 21-year-old single mother. On the way to work, she drops off her 3-year-old daughter at a community day care center and picks her up on the way home. Because her income is low, Maria works at a second job from home in the evening and rarely goes out for social interaction. For the last several days, her daughter has been sick with influenza, so Maria has stayed awake throughout the night to care for her. One morning, while preparing her daughter’s breakfast, Maria realized that they had run out of milk and bread again. Maria sat down on the floor and began to cry

1. One of the effects of chronic stress is an impaired immune response. What are the physiologic mechanisms that will make Maria particularly prone to contracting her daughter’s illness?
2. Assuming the stressors are the same, how is it that someone might react differently than Maria? From what you know of her history, what are some factors affecting Maria’s ability to cope both physically and psychologically?
3. What are the signs and symptoms that would distinguish a person with posttraumatic stress disorder from an individual like Maria?

Answer 1

1.When stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. That is why maria is more susceptible to infections.The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system (e.g. lowers the number of lymphocytes). Also influenza is highly infectious disease and can affect maria very easily

2.if the stressors are same persons will be affected in the same way as maria is.maria is more prone to be infected as immune system is too weak without proper food and rest.both are compromised in marias condition.also the disease of the child will psychologically depress maria. Age is also a factor.maria is the bread winner of family and now she is unable to go for work.

3.Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. But here the situation is different for maria.its not accompanied by any traumatic event in the history.maria is affected with immune deficit followed by stressor like lack of proper rest ,poor nutrition and psychological stress related to childs illness.