- Psychological distress resulting from trauma can increase the risk of inflammation.
- Inflammation can worsen the stress of trauma-exposed patients in return as inflammatory cytokines can bring about symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Bidirectional Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Inflammation

Exposure to trauma is related to higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. Some inflammatory cytokines include interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF- ɑ), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Excessive or dysregulated chronic secretion of these cytokines can increase the risk for inflammatory diseases.

Chapman University

Inflammatory Cytokines are proteins produced by the immune system that induce inflammation. They play a critical role in regulating the body to defend against pathogens.

Inflammatory Cytokines

Gallegos, A. M., Lytle, M. C., Moynihan, J. A., & Talbot, N. L. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction to enhance psychological functioning and improve inflammatory biomarkers in trauma-exposed women: A pilot study. Psychological trauma: theory, research, practice and policy, 7(6), 525–532. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000053

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