[From psychobiological stress research to neuropsychoimmunology]

Psychoimmunology--a neologism--is a short term for the growing evidence that there are multiple interactions between central nervous system, vegetative nervous system, endocrinological system and immunological system. In the history of research the psychobiological stress concept of Hans Selye has been the most powerful basis for the ongoing empirical work in investigating aspects of systemic processes of psychoimmunology. Nowadays there is no doubt that the immunological system must not be seen as an independently functioning organic system. Simple causal links (like stressor-strain-relations) are not useful in explaining the complex interactions that we observe when biological phenomena simultaneously are taken into consideration. Especially with psychological stressors--the most frequent kind of troubles in our contemporary way of life--we have to stress the importance of the individual's evaluation of potentially stressful situations. In a wide variety a stressor becomes the potential of provoking strain because of my own appraisal. This multiple-step-process of appraisal is dependent on my coping abilities and coping strategies regarding an objectively or subjectively dangerous situation. Although there are common genetic and predispositional factors influencing the stress reaction we have to focus more on psychological phenomena, especially the possibility of conditioning stress reactions. As we know by empirical data some reactions of the immunological system are also influenced by learning processes like classical conditioning procedures. This knowledge may be used for a better understanding of a lot of chemical findings.