Individuals who experience attachment anxiety disorder experience EBV reactivation. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net
Have you ever had a fear of abandonment? Always needed a reassurance from your partner, close friend or sibling? Well, news flash! If you ever experienced the following, and it has interfered with your daily function, then you might be experiencing attachment anxiety disorder [1].
It is not new that stress has a negative impact on our body, and in particular, on our immune system. In a matter of fact, stress weakens our immune system, which consequently causes latent viruses populated in our body to reactivate [1].
I bet your next question is, “latent viruses populated in my body??? But I’m totally healthy, and feel perfect!”.
Well, it turns out that various types of viruses have the ability to occur in your body in a latent state. Which is basically similar to “falling asleep”. It remains dormant in your cells, only to erupt later without warning.
There are various reasons for their eruption, the main ones being stress and anxiety [2]. Which is pretty logical considering the fact that they weaken the immune system as I noted.
Moreover, as a consequence of the damaged immune system, a right environment for reactivation of latent virus is created, leading to a variety of symptoms and diseases [2].
Therefore, it is not coincidence that when people are stressed or anxious, they experience cold sores outbreaks (caused due to Herpes virus) [2].
Attachment anxiety may cause chronic stress that compromises our immunity from infection and other physical conditions.
Attachment anxiety may cause chronic stress that compromises our immunity from infection and other physical conditions.
Another striking example is demonstrated in an interesting study. Individuals who experience attachment anxiety disorder experience EBV reactivation,which demonstrates the association of attachment anxiety disorder and poor immune system activity [3,4].
By burning the candle from both ends, we lose the real meaning of life, which to me is being healthy, happy, and surrounded by our loved ones. Image by: Freedigitalphoto.net
Living in modern times is an ongoing race.
We all wish we could add an extra hour to the day, so we would have time to do everything. But maybe life isn’t about getting everything done? But is only what society gets us to think? I believe that by burning the candle from both ends, we lose the real meaning of life, which to me is being healthy, happy, and surrounded by our loved ones. Just a little something to think about.
References:
1. Nauert, R. Attachment Anxiety Lowers Immunity – But Can Be Overcome. Published on February 12, 2013.
2. Microbiology and Immunology On-Line – University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Virology – Chapter Eleven – Herpes Viruses. Last updated May 24, 2011.
3. Fagundes CP1, Jaremka LM2, Glaser R2, Alfano CM3, Povoski SP4, Lipari AM5, Agnese DM4, Yee LD4, Carson WE 3rd6, Farrar WB4, Malarkey WB7, Chen M2, Kiecolt-Glaser JK8. Attachment anxiety is related to Epstein-Barr virus latency. Brain Behav Immun. 2014 Jun 16.
4. Davenport, L. EBV Infection Linked to Subclinical Psychosis Symptoms. Published June 16, 2011.