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On Health and HIV/AIDS, by Dr. Abeba Fekade

On Psychospiritual Healing

On Stress Matter

Dr. Abeba Fekade

 

Dr. Abeba Fekade

 

PAPERS & PUBLICATIONS:

 

The Psychology of Health and the Science of Healing:  An Integrated Philosophy of African Health System, a Monograph (2006).  Integrated Health Services- Educational Research Center, Silver Spring MD.

 

The State of Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder within the African Context and the Case of Ethiopia, (February, 2007.)  Paper presented at The Ethiopian Forum for Peace, democracy & Development (EFPDD), George Washington University Washington, D.C.

 

Psychospiritual Model for Healing, Growth and Empowerment (2005). Un- published Manuscript. Integrated Health Services- Educational Research Center, Silver Spring MD.

 

 

A Survey of Non-Persisters: An Exploratory Study of Factors Contributing to College Student Dropout Rates (2002). Final Report, Coppin State College, Baltimore, Md.

 

Belief System Analysis Scale: Factor Analysis and Reliability on an African American and Caribbean Sample (2001). (Submitted Manuscript, Co-authored with Lennell Dade).

 

Confabulation in Schizophrenics: Cognitive Dysfunction Juxtaposed with Memory Function (2001) Howard University, Washington DC. (Unpublished manuscript).

 

Lip- Reading Deficit in Schizophrenic Patients Overlapping with Cognitive Function (2000). Howard University, Washington, DC. (Unpublished Paper).

 

 The Role of Western/Modern Education in Ethiopian (1999). Ethiopian Register, Los Angeles, CA.

 

 The Effect of Rhythm on a Learning/Memory Task.  (1998). Howard University Washington, D.C.

 

African American Males: An Exploratory Study of Contemporary Values, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Masculinity Final Report- a Monograph (1993). (Co-authored with Lawrence E. Gary and Christopher B. Booker). School of Social Work, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

 

Masculinity and Manhood Among African American Males: A Bibliography (1992). School of Social Work, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

 

A Comparative Analysis of the Modern and Traditional Ethiopian Education (1992). Unpublished paper prepared for the Institute for Urban Affairs and Research, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

How to Overcome the  Effect of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among immigrant population and students in the Washington DC (May 2007). Carlos Rosario Education Center, Washington, D.C.

 

The State of Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder With in the African Context and the Case of Ethiopia, (February, 2007.) The Ethiopian Forum for Peace, democracy & Development (EFPDD), George Washington University Washington, D.C.

 

Health Crisis in Ethiopia: The Impact of Social Stressors on Disease Formation and Premature Death (2007). The Ethiopian Forum for Peace, democracy & Development, George Washington University Washington, D.C.

 

The Impact of Psychosocial Stressors on Mental health and susceptibility for HIV/AIDS like Infectious Diseases (April, 2006). Conference sponsored by Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention Care &Support Organization, Washington, D.C.

 

Psychospiritual Healing:  An Integrated African Mental Health System (July6-9, 2005). Conference entitled African Healing Wisdom: From Tradition to Current Application, Jointly sponsored by: Pro-Cultura, The George Washington University Medical Center, World Bank.  Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill Washington, D.C.

 

Multicultural Competence for Health Professionals (May, 2005). Sponsored by ILCA for D.C. Counselors, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Washington, D.C.

 

The Importance of Cultural Competence in Counseling and Guidance (2005). Seminar hosted by the Montgomery Public School System, Division of ESOL, Bilingual Programs, Rockville, MD.

 

The Relationship Between Mental Illness and susceptibility for HIV/AIDS like Infectious Diseases (2004). Conference sponsored by Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention Care &Support Organization, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

 

The Need for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Neuropsychological Tests for African Immigrant and Refugee Population in the USA (2003). Conference Sponsored by The African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation and Montgomery College, Diversity Management Institute. Silver Spring, MD.

 

Social Stressors and The Rate of Disease Progression Among Ethiopians Infected with HIV/AIDS like Infections (2003). Conference sponsored by Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention Care &Support Organization, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

 

Building a Humanistic Psychology: A Critical Review of the Conceptual Paradigm Shift Made by Black Scholars and Psychologist:  (August 2003). (Co-authored/presented with Lennell Dade). Association of Black Psychologist, Denver, Colorado.

 

The Psychology of Disease and Health: The Global pattern of the Spread of HIV/AIDS.

(Summer 2000). Conference on HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, Sponsored by Ethiopian Electronic Distribution Network (EEDN).

 

The Alarming Health Crisis and the AIDS Epidemics in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia (1998). Annual Conference of the Ethiopian National Congress, Arlington, VA.

 

The Female-Male Principles: Balancing the Physical Manifestation of the Psycho Spiritual Energy. (August 1996). Co-authored/presented with Lennell Dade). Association of Black Psychologist, Chicago, Illinois.

 

The Relations between Cognitive Styles and Academic Achievements (1995). Coatesville High School, Coatesville, PA.

 

Academic Achievement and Cognitive Style in African American Children (1992). Presented at Howard University, Developmental Psychology Research Group, Washington, D.C.

 

A Comparative Analysis of Modern and Traditional Ethiopian Education and Cognitive Processes (1992).  Presented at the Institute for Urban Affairs and Research, Washington, D.C.

 

An Assessment of Neuropsychological Measures within Cultural Contexts  (1991).  Presented at the Institute for Urban Affairs and Research, Washington, D.C.

 

Nominations:

Nominated for the NAACP award for ‘Outstanding Professor’, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Pennsylvania, 1996.

 

Nominated for the Stanley J. Drazek award for ‘Excellence in Teaching’ University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Maryland, 2003.

 

 Dr. Abeba Fekade

 

Ph.D., Howard University, Department of Psychology, Washington, D.C. (1995). Neuropsychology, Ph.D. Dissertation: "Cognitive Dysfunction: Confabulation in Schizophrenics."

 

M.A., Howard University, Department of Psychology, Washington, D.C., (1992). Cognitive Developmental Psychology, Masters' thesis: "The Effect of Rhythm on Learning and Memory Processes."

 

B.A., Psychology, Department of Psychology, Metro State College, Denver, Colorado (1987).

 

B.A., Biology, Department of Biology, Metro State College, Denver, Colorado (1984).

 

Masters’ program in Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado. (1986-1987).

 

Certifications:

 

Certified Neuro-Linguistics Programming (NLP) Practitioner, American Hypnosis Training Academy, Silver Spring, Maryland, 2002.

 

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist- Ericksonian Hypnosis & Brief Psychotherapy, American Hypnosis Training Academy, Silver Spring, Maryland, 2002.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES:

 

2006- Present: Bilingual Therapeutic Counselor, Montgomery Public School System, ESOL Division, Rockville Maryland. Providing both guidance and therapeutic counseling services to immigrant students who are multicultural and speakers of other languages in Montgomery County.       

 

2001-2006: Director, Integrated Health Services – Educational and Research Center, Silver Spring, Md. Directing the provision of comprehensive wellness and healing services including, educational workshops, seminars, conferences, and training programs designed for educators and health professionals; engaging in testing and evaluation, assessment and data analysis; providing cultural competency training, stress and anger management; conducting research on the impact of psycho social stressors on health.

 

2000- Present: Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Md. Teaching, Biological Basis of Behavior, Physiology of Behavior, Human Motivation, Sensation and Perception, and other psychology courses in both on-line and face- to- face classroom formats.

 

2001-2003: Associate Director, Office of Institutional Research, Coppin State College, Baltimore, Md. Directing and administrating the overall affairs and activities of the Office; along with conducting institutional research, surveys, evaluation and assessment as well as writing final reports.

 

2000-2001: Assistant Professor, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md.  Taught Introduction to Psychology, Developmental and Abnormal Psychology.

 

1995-2000: Assistant Professor, tenure track position, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Pa. Taught, Psychobiology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Development, The Psychology of oppression, History and Systems of Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Theories of Personality, and Introductory Psychology courses. 

 

1998-1999: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, Coppin State College. Taught Developmental and Abnormal Psychology courses.

 

1998-1999: Consultant, International Development Specialist, Coppin State College, Baltimore, Md.  Developing projects, Directing programs and Writing grant proposals.

 

1998-1998/Summer: Director, Institute for Family Values and Rite of Passage, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Pa. Developed a summer youth program for the rite of passage, conducted workshops and evaluated the program.

 

1997-1997/Summer: Consultant, International Conference in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Equity and Growth through Economic Research (EAGER). Organized international workshops on policy and research on economic development in African countries.

 

1996- 1997, Director, Institute for Family Values and Rite of Passage, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Pa. Developed a summer youth program for the rite of passage, performed various administrative duties, conducted workshops and evaluated the program.

 

1993-1995: Researcher, National Institute of Mental Health, Clinical Brain Disorder Branch, at St. Elizabeth's Campus Washington, D.C.  Investigated cognitive processes involved in memory and confabulations in schizophrenics.

 

1993-1995: Instructor, Department of Psychology, Howard University, Washington, D.C. Taught under graduate Developmental Psychology course.

 

1992-1993: Research Consultant, D.C. School Board Washington, D.C.  Consulting on academic and educational programs, conducting evaluation and need assessment, developed research projects, and reviewed proposals.

 

1992-1993: Research Assistant, School of Social Work, Howard University Washington, D.C.  Collected and analyzed data, review literature for major psychological and sociological research projects.  Employed statistical and other software to analyze and write final reports. Participate in studies focusing on African-American males' perception of masculinity, and African-American children's academic achievement.

 

1992-1993: Project Consultant, Institute for Urban Affairs and Research, Howard University, Washington, D.C., conducted evaluation and needs assessment for Healthy Start Project, manage and analyze data on Infant Mortality Studies.

 

1990-1992: Research Assistant, Institute for Urban Affairs and Research, Howard University, Washington, D.C.  Carried out research activity including proposal writing, collecting and analyzing data, literature review and coordinated and organized conferences and seminars for major psychological and sociological studies.

 

1988-1990: Research and Teaching Assistant, Department of Psychology, Howard University, Washington, D.C. Assisted in culturally sensitive Neuropsychological studies.

 

1984-1987: Research Assistant, Metro State College, Denver, Colorado.  Carried out general research activities, data collection, analysis, and summarizing data into written reports.

 

1981-1984: Teaching Assistant/Laboratory Technician, Metro State College, and Denver, Colorado.  Assisted undergraduate students in their course and lab work and Coordinated the technical operation of the biology laboratory.

 

PAPERS & PUBLICATIONS:

 

The Psychology of Health and the Science of Healing:  An Integrated Philosophy of African Health System, a Monograph (2006).  Integrated Health Services- Educational Research Center, Silver Spring MD.

 

The State of Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder within the African Context and the Case of Ethiopia, (February, 2007.)  Paper presented at The Ethiopian Forum for Peace, democracy & Development (EFPDD), George Washington University Washington, D.C.

 

Psychospiritual Model for Healing, Growth and Empowerment (2005). Un- published Manuscript. Integrated Health Services- Educational Research Center, Silver Spring MD.

 

 

A Survey of Non-Persisters: An Exploratory Study of Factors Contributing to College Student Dropout Rates (2002). Final Report, Coppin State College, Baltimore, Md.

 

Belief System Analysis Scale: Factor Analysis and Reliability on an African American and Caribbean Sample (2001). (Submitted Manuscript, Co-authored with Lennell Dade).

 

Confabulation in Schizophrenics: Cognitive Dysfunction Juxtaposed with Memory Function (2001) Howard University, Washington DC. (Unpublished manuscript).

 

Lip- Reading Deficit in Schizophrenic Patients Overlapping with Cognitive Function (2000). Howard University, Washington, DC. (Unpublished Paper).

 

 The Role of Western/Modern Education in Ethiopian (1999). Ethiopian Register, Los Angeles, CA.

 

 The Effect of Rhythm on a Learning/Memory Task.  (1998). Howard University Washington, D.C.

 

African American Males: An Exploratory Study of Contemporary Values, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Masculinity Final Report- a Monograph (1993). (Co-authored with Lawrence E. Gary and Christopher B. Booker). School of Social Work, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

 

Masculinity and Manhood Among African American Males: A Bibliography (1992). School of Social Work, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

 

A Comparative Analysis of the Modern and Traditional Ethiopian Education (1992). Unpublished paper prepared for the Institute for Urban Affairs and Research, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

How to Overcome the  Effect of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among immigrant population and students in the Washington DC (May 2007). Carlos Rosario Education Center, Washington, D.C.

 

The State of Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder With in the African Context and the Case of Ethiopia, (February, 2007.) The Ethiopian Forum for Peace, democracy & Development (EFPDD), George Washington University Washington, D.C.

 

Health Crisis in Ethiopia: The Impact of Social Stressors on Disease Formation and Premature Death (2007). The Ethiopian Forum for Peace, democracy & Development, George Washington University Washington, D.C.

 

The Impact of Psychosocial Stressors on Mental health and susceptibility for HIV/AIDS like Infectious Diseases (April, 2006). Conference sponsored by Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention Care &Support Organization, Washington, D.C.

 

Psychospiritual Healing:  An Integrated African Mental Health System (July6-9, 2005). Conference entitled African Healing Wisdom: From Tradition to Current Application, Jointly sponsored by: Pro-Cultura, The George Washington University Medical Center, World Bank.  Hyatt Regency, Capitol Hill Washington, D.C.

 

Multicultural Competence for Health Professionals (May, 2005). Sponsored by ILCA for D.C. Counselors, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Washington, D.C.

 

The Importance of Cultural Competence in Counseling and Guidance (2005). Seminar hosted by the Montgomery Public School System, Division of ESOL, Bilingual Programs, Rockville, MD.

 

The Relationship Between Mental Illness and susceptibility for HIV/AIDS like Infectious Diseases (2004). Conference sponsored by Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention Care &Support Organization, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

 

The Need for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Neuropsychological Tests for African Immigrant and Refugee Population in the USA (2003). Conference Sponsored by The African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation and Montgomery College, Diversity Management Institute. Silver Spring, MD.

 

Social Stressors and The Rate of Disease Progression Among Ethiopians Infected with HIV/AIDS like Infections (2003). Conference sponsored by Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention Care &Support Organization, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

 

Building a Humanistic Psychology: A Critical Review of the Conceptual Paradigm Shift Made by Black Scholars and Psychologist:  (August 2003). (Co-authored/presented with Lennell Dade). Association of Black Psychologist, Denver, Colorado.

 

The Psychology of Disease and Health: The Global pattern of the Spread of HIV/AIDS.

(Summer 2000). Conference on HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, Sponsored by Ethiopian Electronic Distribution Network (EEDN).

 

The Alarming Health Crisis and the AIDS Epidemics in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia (1998). Annual Conference of the Ethiopian National Congress, Arlington, VA.

 

The Female-Male Principles: Balancing the Physical Manifestation of the Psycho Spiritual Energy. (August 1996). Co-authored/presented with Lennell Dade). Association of Black Psychologist, Chicago, Illinois.

 

The Relations between Cognitive Styles and Academic Achievements (1995). Coatesville High School, Coatesville, PA.

 

Academic Achievement and Cognitive Style in African American Children (1992). Presented at Howard University, Developmental Psychology Research Group, Washington, D.C.

 

A Comparative Analysis of Modern and Traditional Ethiopian Education and Cognitive Processes (1992).  Presented at the Institute for Urban Affairs and Research, Washington, D.C.

 

An Assessment of Neuropsychological Measures within Cultural Contexts  (1991).  Presented at the Institute for Urban Affairs and Research, Washington, D

Spirituality and Psychospiritual Healing

Spirituality is a realm of reality that creates, generates life forces and is a governing power in our daily life as well as in the life beyond the known. It extends beyond ones level and types of religiosity or any other similar affiliation. It is a way of life that emphasizes on one’s role in life is fundamentally linked to the events of nature and the elements of the universe. It is a state of existence and a belief that all things in life contain certain amount of life force connecting beyond the physical time giving us a sense of continuity with the collective past and future.

The Spirit, which is the foundation of psychospiritual theory and practice, is the purest source of creative energy from which all things come and it is that which holds every thing together interconnected and balanced, and is believed to be a universal truth sought by most humans.

A thorough understanding of the science of spirit may help us attain alternative perspective, which allows the manifestation of the authentic self and reconnect it to its origin.

Our world is composed of intricately interacting life forces existing in harmony within and around all matters at different levels of energy vibrating in unison. The principle of universal oneness dictates that all beings are in touch and interconnected with all other beings at any given moment of their energy forms (life cycles) of vibration and manifestation of the Universal energy. Our task is therefore, to follow and flow with the blue print that set the motion, meaning knowing our place and position within the universal principle and energy manifestation to maintain movement and harmony in our world. Thus optimum health can be reached and fully actualized through balancing, redirecting and fine-tuning the flow of energies between and within body, mind and soul. The universal energy spirit governs all three elements.

Psychospiritual healing is based on the notion that every creation contains an integrated seed of eternal life force, (manifesting as female/male principle of life) which gives the physical body the properties and capacities to promote healing spontaneously. And this life force can be accessed and utilize to promote health and wellness in therapeutic setting as well as in our daily life.

Humanity is conceptualized as being the reflection of its creator and that its essence is spiritual; and is the embodiment of our soul where by God’s creative force dwells, and is also the primary source of energy essential to bring healing and restoration in life. The universal energy spirit governs all three elements.

Psychospiritual Healing Perspective

In Psychospiritual healing approach, spirit/inner psyche of the individual, is considered to be the most pure and authentic among the three-life forces-body mind soul, and has a significant amount of influence and impact on the function of the body and mind. The integration of and balance of energy is vital for psychospiritual healing. Psychospiritual model views the individual as an organic whole with mental physical, emotional and spiritual aspects actively contributing to the state of health or illness.

Mental illness is viewed as a state of imbalance, distortion, and discord within and between the things that constitute and makes up the human person, which is - body, mind, and soul. Though, the degree may vary, imbalance of any sort in the body, mind and soul causes disconnection and distortion of energies manifested in the female/male principle. In addition, among many other things, both internalized and institutional violence and other social disorders contribute to the individual and the collective psyche and mental wellness and can adversely affect and hinder the fulfillment of optimum human potential. 

In order to attain harmonious organic whole personhood and humanity, the working energy of body, mind and spirit as living life forces must be correctly realigned and balanced. Restoring balance in the clinical setting requires assessment and identification of the areas within which the highest distortions have taken place and how the individual person manifests imbalance. Ones identified the source of distortion the flow of energies in the three life forces, -body, mind and soul- can be redirected and channeled to areas of deficiency and excess to regain or maintain balance and wholeness.

Treatment and healing is geared in to bringing balance between the physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral activities, and the spirit; and aligning it with the body and mind through a spiritual awareness particularly engaging in the work of Self- knowledge. This is a process of knowing who we are as a group and as individuals, as well as understanding how we are interconnected with the universe and with each other. For such knowledge creates the energy and life force necessary for restoration and it further stimulates self regulation which is the bases for spontaneous healing.  

One of the ways in which we can reclaim and heal ourselves from the adverse effects of living in a distorted and imbalanced micro and macro environments, is by understanding our purpose and mission in life and to live it accordingly. In doing so we find the mediums, ways, and opportunities to create and maintain the balance according to each need. When one is in balance the three life forces –body, mind and soul give vitality and reverence for life which arises from our true inner self. This enable us to uncover the universal truth- know thyself, which is again a very essential tool for healing and embracing the true oneness of the universe.

Balancing the Manifestation of the Spiritual Energies On Health: The Female-Male Principles

The female/male principle is an expression of energy and the life force in each gender as each contributes to the creation and perpetuation of life. It is somewhat conceptually similar to the yin and yang principle of the east and other notions of duality used to organize energies and the life force around us.  It is beyond simple dichotomy and duality, for this principle emerges out of the Divine energy, pure spirit, God creator, etc., it is a central principle to the foundation of balance and harmony in the individual as well as in the community’s life. The balancing of the female- male principle is crucial in establishing and governing our ways of life at large and our health in particular.

With the world as the material manifestation of the Divine Universal energy, the individual then becomes the microcosm that represents the interconnectedness shared between spirit and matter, visible and non-visible realm of realities and thier expression of universal oneness.  This results in a complex of spiritual and physical interdependence, which must be maintained at certain synchronicity and cycle in order for harmony to exist within and between the individual and the universe.

The Universal Principle

The Universal Principle is therefore, the spiritual and physical manifestation of the divine energy, which sets in the motion of stability and instability, the cycles and phase of all creation passing through and within the universe. It is a Principle that maintains order and harmony and gives rise to the understanding of true knowledge and oneness. And this oneness is both functionally and structurally reflected in all of creation, as female and male principles, forming complementary and dialectical relationships with one another for the simple purpose to participate in the universe’s process of creation and perpetuation of life. 

One other essence of this principle is to perceive the oneness as a mirror image of the physical and spiritual realm of reality manifesting in the body, mind and soul of individuals and groups. We perceive the universe by knowing that within ourselves both the Self and the Divine energy exist in oneness reflecting and integration of the two and manifesting as either the female or  the male principle in our plane of reality. However, the expressions of the components of the universal principles may vary, that is superficially, according to the cultural constructs and other scripts of a particular individual, group or society.

The Female/Male Principle

The female/male principle is the primary form of manifestation of the universal energy in this plane of reality expressed as a life force of creation of life and perpetuation of life as well as propagating humanity. The Female/Male principle is also the expression of the spiritual and material foundation of the life force and is reflected in the female and male bodies, characters, and personalities.

The Female life force is a particular energy that dwells primarily in the female physical body. The Female life force is the expression of the spiritual and material foundation out of which life emerges. In its general form, it is the creative force that puts in motion the processes of birth, death, and rebirth. 

The Male life force, the particular energy that dwells mostly in the male physical body, sustains life and enforces the perpetuation of the cycle of life, and complementing the female creative energy. It is also the foundation for the spiritual and material expression of life sustaining energy/force. It is important to note that the physical body serves as vesicle to the either female or male principles of life, which are not physical in nature.

Today’s’ dominant ideology and cosmology functions from a viewpoint that distort and dichotomizes the male and the female energies as if they are independent forces and then assigns and restrict them to particular body/gender types.  Specifically, believing that women posse’s female energies alone and men posses’ only male energies undermining the identity of their mind and soul and interconnection and interaction within the body.

Furthermore, because masculine energy is viewed as superior so too is man and in this scheme the feminine energy and its personification, women are rendered inferior to the male dominating and misogynous societies. Some early cultures were and some are still filled with examples of anti the female principle/women in attitude and action.

As a result of such distortion and the hegemonic process, many societies in the world have internalized such distorted viewpoints and value of femininity/womanhood and masculinity/manhood. Thus, have come accustomed to living with the distortion and imbalance of energy operating and manifesting in all aspect of life, including health.

We must recognize and understand the level of disorder and disharmony, the reality to which we have been reduced and from which we have fallen. This will allow us to begin the process to restoration and healing through the balanced manifestation of female/male principle in our life.

Stress and Health

Even though stress appears to be a commonly known and well-studied subject matter and is an inevitable daily experience, its true meaning and implication on the physiology, psychology and spiritual functioning of the human body and community is yet to be explored and fully understood. Stress is an integral aspect of the human nature, as emotions, motives and so on are. Stress is in fact an essential biological function utilized for survival, but unmanaged and maladaptive stress can have adverse effect, it can damage and totally destroy ones’ life. Therefore how we manage and deal with stress is very important and determines the overall quality of ones’ life and wellness. 

The immune system is known to react to stress by becoming suppressed. When appropriate, this suppression of the immune system is the way in which the body combats immediate danger by generating the fight or flight response for a brief moment. Even though the flight or fight response is a good thing in the short term, when it’s repeatedly triggered, however, it creates some adverse health consequences; if the state of stress is maintained for a long time the more vulnerable the body becomes for diseases to occur.  When the stress-inducing events continue and chronic stress sets in, individuals’ vulnerability and susceptibility to infections and other illnesses by reducing resistances of the immune system also increases. As stressful events continue and persist the physical damage also become severe and dangers for life. Chronic stress produces bodily consequences that can trigger physical aliments ranging from headaches, sleeplessness, to metabolic disorders, such as weight gain/lose, cancer, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, heart problems, and immune system diseases.

The effect of stress on the body is not limited to the immune system in isolation, it also involves the entire system of the neuroendocrine-immune pathways mediated by the brain through the activities of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Stress, thus, directly and indirectly involves in the regulation of neurochemicals, which in turn affects the physical and psychological functioning of the individual and at times, groups collectively. The physiological aspect of stress is deeply connected within the neuroimmune and endocrine system. The brain reacts to the hormonal signals generated in response to stressful events and in turn produces neurochemicals, which affect the function of the entire body. Following the brains reaction to the hormonal signals, additional signals are send to shut down the functions of the internal organs and execs glucose is released and blood pressure is raising and so on. In such complex and integrated way stress, causes serious damage on the physical and mental health of people.

In other word stress involves the psychoneuroimmune system, which is a vital life- line system in the body. And when this important system is adversely affected and compromised, the integrity of the whole person that is the balance between and within the mind, body and soul functions, is as well, greatly distorted and compromised. Simply, it means that, stress becomes maladaptive and manifests itself as a host of mental and physical illnesses. It is important to note that as the disease processes associated with stress involves both physiological and psychological functioning. Preventing, managing, modifying and neutralizing stressful events must involve a wholistic approaches, integrating body, mind and soul.

 

On Health and HIV/AIDS

On Psychospiritual Healing

On Stress Matter

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