Task 2
P3. Explain how stress can influence illness.
Every system in the body can be affected by stress, according to research. When stress is
not managed, it suppresses the body's defences and eventually shows up as illness (J,
2008). Your cortisol levels increase under stress, and if they remain high for a long time, the
immune system is weakened. Additionally, stress can cause harm to your body's own cells
and even cause immune system reactions, such as an increase in inflammation, which
makes you more vulnerable to viruses and infections (Sanitarium, N/A). People with
weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infections, find it harder to fight them
off, and their illnesses may be more severe or difficult to treat. A person with a weakened
immune system will frequently have a cold, as well as numerous stomach issues and a
generalised feeling of exhaustion throughout the day (Hasan, 2022).
Additionally, stress resulting from various issues like work, school, health, etc. can keep a
person's mind active throughout the night and make it much harder to fall asleep. Daytime
sleepiness, exhaustion, irritability, and other impairments are common in people with sleep
disturbances. People who are stressed out may experience less time spent in deep sleep
and disturbances during REM sleep (Fry & Dimitriu, 2023). In addition, cardiovascular
disease and sleep deprivation are related. One study found a connection between insomnia
and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. On top of that, a lack of sleep makes you more
susceptible to respiratory illnesses like the flu and the common cold. Lack of sleep may
aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions like chronic lung disease (watson & Cherney,
2023).
P4. Explain potential strategies that a selected service user can apply to manage
stress.
M3. Analyse strategies that a selected service user can apply to manage stress with
reference to their link to illness.
Jonathan Robinson, 26, who was working on a window, as part of his job, when he fell off a
ladder a, now has chronic back pain and is unable to work. Although Jonathan has been
given pills for pain relief, he won't take them because he fears developing an addiction. His
general practitioner also suggested acupuncture, but he refuses it because he believes the
, needles are harmful. Additionally, he has been prescribed painkiller patches, but he won't
use them because he's read that they can have negative side effects.
Since his injury, Jonathan has undoubtedly experienced ongoing stress, and if any of his
typical coping mechanisms are not working, it may be extremely challenging for him to
control both his stress and his emotional wellbeing. Finding someone or a group that
provides emotional support is one of the best things Jonathan could do. He would benefit
greatly from joining a support group where he could express his feelings about the pain and
difficulties he is experiencing as a result of his fear of all the treatments his doctor has
suggested. It could prove to be beneficial for Jonathan because he will see that there are
others who are going through or have gone through similar problems to him. This might
lessen the stress he is feeling because he will realise that he is not alone in this and that he
can get better and improve (NHS, 2022). This indicates that Jonathan has a good chance of
overcoming his fear of the treatments, which will help him become more mobile following the
treatment, be able to return to work, and also relieve him of any financial stress. The
drawback of this is that Jonathan might not feel at ease discussing his issues with others or
he might feel judged the entire time, which could not only put stress on me but also
discourage him from ever seeking help again, which might have a negative effect on his poor
mental health.
One of Jonathan’s main reasons for his stress is the fact that since his back injury he has not
been able to go to work, and now he is unable to pay rent and his landlord is threatening to
evict him. Something that Jonathan could do is apply for ‘’Disablement Benefit’ (IIDB) which
a benefit that you can have if you became ill or are disabled due to an accident or disease
at work, and it says on the website that you are eligible if you were employed when the
accident or event happened, and Jonathan was at work when he had his back accident. He
would need to complete and mail a claim form, and either a face-to-face medical evaluation
or use of the information in the claim form would be used to evaluate his claim (GOV.UK,
N/A). If he meets the requirements, he will be able to access funds to help pay his rent,
which will ease his financial strain. On the other hand, even if Jonathan is eligible for the
benefits he may not be counted as a high level of disability which in result may not earn him
a lot of weekly amount, the lowest amount is £41.52, meaning he will still not be able to pay
for his rent and his financial stress will carry on.
The final approach that might be suggested and the one that will help Jonathan the most
with his back pain and the treatment-related worries is for his doctor to educate him about
acupuncture and painkiller medications. For instance, his worries about acupuncture are all
related to his phobia of needles. So the GP could assure Jonathan that the practitioner will
P3. Explain how stress can influence illness.
Every system in the body can be affected by stress, according to research. When stress is
not managed, it suppresses the body's defences and eventually shows up as illness (J,
2008). Your cortisol levels increase under stress, and if they remain high for a long time, the
immune system is weakened. Additionally, stress can cause harm to your body's own cells
and even cause immune system reactions, such as an increase in inflammation, which
makes you more vulnerable to viruses and infections (Sanitarium, N/A). People with
weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infections, find it harder to fight them
off, and their illnesses may be more severe or difficult to treat. A person with a weakened
immune system will frequently have a cold, as well as numerous stomach issues and a
generalised feeling of exhaustion throughout the day (Hasan, 2022).
Additionally, stress resulting from various issues like work, school, health, etc. can keep a
person's mind active throughout the night and make it much harder to fall asleep. Daytime
sleepiness, exhaustion, irritability, and other impairments are common in people with sleep
disturbances. People who are stressed out may experience less time spent in deep sleep
and disturbances during REM sleep (Fry & Dimitriu, 2023). In addition, cardiovascular
disease and sleep deprivation are related. One study found a connection between insomnia
and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. On top of that, a lack of sleep makes you more
susceptible to respiratory illnesses like the flu and the common cold. Lack of sleep may
aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions like chronic lung disease (watson & Cherney,
2023).
P4. Explain potential strategies that a selected service user can apply to manage
stress.
M3. Analyse strategies that a selected service user can apply to manage stress with
reference to their link to illness.
Jonathan Robinson, 26, who was working on a window, as part of his job, when he fell off a
ladder a, now has chronic back pain and is unable to work. Although Jonathan has been
given pills for pain relief, he won't take them because he fears developing an addiction. His
general practitioner also suggested acupuncture, but he refuses it because he believes the
, needles are harmful. Additionally, he has been prescribed painkiller patches, but he won't
use them because he's read that they can have negative side effects.
Since his injury, Jonathan has undoubtedly experienced ongoing stress, and if any of his
typical coping mechanisms are not working, it may be extremely challenging for him to
control both his stress and his emotional wellbeing. Finding someone or a group that
provides emotional support is one of the best things Jonathan could do. He would benefit
greatly from joining a support group where he could express his feelings about the pain and
difficulties he is experiencing as a result of his fear of all the treatments his doctor has
suggested. It could prove to be beneficial for Jonathan because he will see that there are
others who are going through or have gone through similar problems to him. This might
lessen the stress he is feeling because he will realise that he is not alone in this and that he
can get better and improve (NHS, 2022). This indicates that Jonathan has a good chance of
overcoming his fear of the treatments, which will help him become more mobile following the
treatment, be able to return to work, and also relieve him of any financial stress. The
drawback of this is that Jonathan might not feel at ease discussing his issues with others or
he might feel judged the entire time, which could not only put stress on me but also
discourage him from ever seeking help again, which might have a negative effect on his poor
mental health.
One of Jonathan’s main reasons for his stress is the fact that since his back injury he has not
been able to go to work, and now he is unable to pay rent and his landlord is threatening to
evict him. Something that Jonathan could do is apply for ‘’Disablement Benefit’ (IIDB) which
a benefit that you can have if you became ill or are disabled due to an accident or disease
at work, and it says on the website that you are eligible if you were employed when the
accident or event happened, and Jonathan was at work when he had his back accident. He
would need to complete and mail a claim form, and either a face-to-face medical evaluation
or use of the information in the claim form would be used to evaluate his claim (GOV.UK,
N/A). If he meets the requirements, he will be able to access funds to help pay his rent,
which will ease his financial strain. On the other hand, even if Jonathan is eligible for the
benefits he may not be counted as a high level of disability which in result may not earn him
a lot of weekly amount, the lowest amount is £41.52, meaning he will still not be able to pay
for his rent and his financial stress will carry on.
The final approach that might be suggested and the one that will help Jonathan the most
with his back pain and the treatment-related worries is for his doctor to educate him about
acupuncture and painkiller medications. For instance, his worries about acupuncture are all
related to his phobia of needles. So the GP could assure Jonathan that the practitioner will
