Stress, Anger, and Autoimmune Disorders in Black Women

A Comprehensive Look of Stress and its Effects on Women, Black Women in Particular

Stress! Life and its demands as well as the unrealistic views of Black women, all women, can cause lasting effects, one vicious way in particular attacks our immune systems.

Autoimmune disorders arise when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, leading to inflammation and damage. While genetic predisposition plays a significant role, environmental and emotional factors like stress and anger are critical triggers, especially for women.

Black women face unique sociocultural challenges, including systemic racism and healthcare inequities, which can exacerbate stress-related health conditions. Even how our HAIR grows out of our scalps…

Let’s explore the connection between stress, anger, and autoimmune disorders, with a focus on Black women, integrating research and practical strategies for management.

Stress and Autoimmune Disorders: The Link

Stress affects the immune system through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Chronic stress can dysregulate cortisol levels, increase inflammatory cytokines, and weaken the body’s ability to regulate immune responses (Chrousos, 2009). These changes may trigger autoimmune responses or exacerbate existing conditions.

Anger, a stress-related emotion, has similar physiological effects, including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heightened inflammation.

A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology demonstrated that individuals under chronic stress have higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), key drivers of inflammation in autoimmune disorders (Liu et al., 2017).

Autoimmune Disorders with High Prevalence Among Black Women

Black women are disproportionately affected by certain autoimmune disorders, partly due to genetic factors and chronic exposure to stressors.

1. Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – SLE)
   • Prevalence: Black women are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus than white women, with earlier onset and more severe symptoms (Feldman et al., 2019).
   • Stress Connection: Emotional stress is a known trigger for lupus flares, exacerbating symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, and organ inflammation.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
   • Prevalence: Rheumatoid arthritis affects Black women at similar rates as other groups but often presents more aggressively.
   • Stress Connection: Stress-induced inflammation worsens joint damage and increases pain severity (Harris, 2018).
3. Sjögren’s Syndrome
   • Prevalence: Often underdiagnosed in Black women, Sjögren’s syndrome frequently coexists with lupus or RA.
   • Stress Connection: Fatigue and dry symptoms intensify under chronic stress.
4. Sarcoidosis
   • Prevalence: Black women are at higher risk for sarcoidosis, particularly with lung involvement (Baughman et al., 2021).
   • Stress Connection: Stress and environmental triggers may worsen respiratory symptoms and systemic inflammation.

Unique Challenges for Black Women

Black women encounter compounded stressors from systemic racism, microaggressions, and inequities in healthcare access. These challenges increase allostatic load—the cumulative burden of chronic stress on the body—making Black women more susceptible to autoimmune disorders (Geronimus et al., 2006).

Delayed Diagnosis: Studies show that Black women are more likely to experience diagnostic delays or misdiagnoses for autoimmune conditions, worsening disease progression (Quinn & Cheng, 2018).

Environmental Exposures: Living in areas with higher environmental pollutants, which disproportionately affects Black communities, further increases the risk of autoimmune flares (Carter et al., 2020).

Managing Stress and Anger for Autoimmune Health

Addressing stress and anger is essential for managing autoimmune disorders, particularly in Black women. Here are strategies supported by research:

1. https://www.telehelp247.org/Therapeutic Interventions
   • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Effective in reducing stress-related inflammation and improving mental health (Davis et al., 2018).
   • Culturally Competent Therapy: Seeking therapists who understand the unique experiences of Black women can improve outcomes.
2. Lifestyle Changes
   • Mindfulness Practices: Meditation and yoga reduce cortisol levels and inflammation (Black & Slavich, 2016).
   • Exercise: Moderate physical activity lowers inflammatory markers and improves mood (Pedersen & Saltin, 2015).
3. Dietary Support
   • Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Incorporating omega-3-rich fish, leafy greens, and antioxidant-rich fruits can help combat inflammation.
   • Vitamin D Supplementation: Black women are often deficient in vitamin D, a key nutrient for immune regulation (Holick, 2011).
4. Community and Support Networks
   • Engaging with support groups or organizations focused on Black women’s health can reduce feelings of isolation and provide valuable resources.

For Black women, the intersection of stress, anger, and autoimmune disorders highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to health management. By addressing systemic inequities and adopting personalized strategies for stress reduction, it is possible to mitigate the impact of these conditions.

Research underscores the importance of holistic care that considers both physical and emotional well-being.

It is time for us to put away our capes, and truly ignore the mental gymnastics around us, and breathe…sis it’ ok!

#sources and citations

References

• Black, D. S., & Slavich, G. M. (2016). Mindfulness meditation and the immune system: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1373(1), 13-24.
• Baughman, R. P., Valeyre, D., & Korsten, P. (2021). Sarcoidosis in Black women: Current perspectives. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 17, 309–324.
• Chrousos, G. P. (2009). Stress and disorders of the stress system. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5(7), 374-381.
• Feldman, C. H., et al. (2019). Prevalence and disparities in lupus. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 71(9), 1512-1520.
• Geronimus, A. T., et al. (2006). Weathering and age patterns of allostatic load scores among Blacks and whites in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 96(5), 826-833.
• Liu, Y., Ho, R. C. M., & Mak, A. (2017). Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and soluble interleukin-2 receptors in autoimmune diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Immunology, 8, 54.
• Quinn, M. A., & Cheng, C. (2018). Racial disparities in autoimmune disease diagnosis. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 5(4), 895–902.