Canadian Health&Care; Mall

Psychological factors may affect the course of a chronic illness in a number of ways. First, there may be psychoneuro-immunological or psychophysiological (parasympathetic or alpha-adrenergic) mechanisms, including the effects of psychological factors on lung function . Psychological variables may affect the patient’s awareness of symptoms, either exaggerating or repressing the symptom’s intensity and significance, while stress may be one of a number of factors triggering a relapse in vulnerable subjects. Certain psychological factors may have specific effects. Anxiety or panic-fear may cause dysfunctional breathing patterns that are difficult to distinguish from airflow obstruction, high levels of anxiety may impair the ability to make correct selfmanagement decisions , and doctors may be influenced by excessive anxiety and alter medical regimens inappropriately . Asthma medications may also have a negative influence by enhancing the physiological effects of anxiety. It may be the sum total of all influences rather than specific factors which is important; the total psychological burden may so overwhelm an individual that there is no room left to cope with managing day-to-day asthma, and to recognize and treat an acute exacerbation appropriately.