Exploring ways to enhance the immune function

On a Saturday morning in April, we were invited to a talk by Dr. Sean Collins, a psychotherapist and lecturer in counselling and clinical hypnotherapy.

In his introduction, Dr Collins told us that some years ago he had been working in the USA. He was an engineer running his own company. He was successful, life was good. Then at age 38, bang out of the blue he had a heart attack. At that time he smoked had a bad diet and took no exercise. One year later his own brother died. Dr Collins decided to concentrate on his lifestyle.

He discovered that we all have our own internal scales or see-saw. One side represents unwellness and can be weighed down with practises Such as smoking, bad diet, stress, lack of exercise. The other side represents Health and can be balanced with relaxation, sleep, laughter, healthy diet, exercise etc. For most of us, the scales is tipped to the unhealthy or negative side. As Dr. Collins said the only time it is ever level you are dead!

Not always so

We all have our own beliefs and theories. 'If I wear a seat belt I won't be hurt in a car crash' Dr. Collins suggests not always so but it will reduce the risk. If I am told I only have six months to live - Not always so.

We all have a certain Control over, or contribution to make to our own health, and there are so many things we can do to tip our scales towards health. The suggestions he makes are not simply theories. They are based on the results of extensive research by respected doctors, sociologists and psychologists. What can we do to tip the scales?

Did you know that laughter can change the immune function, while depression can lower the immune function? In our bodies the circulatory or blood System has a pump to bring fresh oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. That pump is the heart. The lymphatic system has no such pump. It relies on physical movement that is the contraction and relaxation of muscles to move the lymph along. Dr. Collins describes the lymphatic system as the sewage system of the body. He equated this to the bin lorry or refuse collection. He reminded us of what happens when there is a bin strike. All the refuse builds up and eventually stinks. When we are unwell or inactive it is the equivalent of a bin strike, the lymph gathers and stinks.

Yoga is a recognised method of improving the lymphatic flow as it is based on stretching and relaxing. There are different levels for different abilities and every little effort tips the scales towards health.

How many of us fight the tiredness that goes with our illness or condition thinking "I don't want to nap - I'll be giving in to the condition. We should recognise that our bodies crave Sleep. When we sleep, our bodies renew and repair. Dr. Collins discussed Secondary Gain. Some of us have experienced how others get fed up with us being sick. After the initial sympathy has worn off people wish you would die or get better. Just stop hanging around in the middle. 'A person with agoraphobia might appear to have a very restricted lifestyle; however, when they have let go of the fear, they also let go of a comfortable support system: the spouse won't have to come home early to keep them company and the children won't have to do the shopping. The symptoms are not fabricated; they are very real: a solution that is invented outside of our conscious awareness So the question to ask might be: 'If the problem or illness were to disappear, what do I lose?'

Behavioural medicine is the study of how people behave or think and how it affects their health is not very popular as there is no money to be made in it. If a drug company research and produce a drug they can sell it and make huge profits. Although we may not believe our mental state can affect our immune system, every one knows that when you are shy or embarrassed (thoughts or emotions) your face can flush (Physical reaction).

Dr. Collins used how we receive a medical diagnosis as an example of how emotions can affect our health and recovery. We have a conscious mind and an unconscious mind. And a critic which communicates between the two. We have an endless video in our heads of every emotion We have ever experienced. When we are presented With new information or suggestion our 'critic' phones Downstairs to the basement for every piece of information And experience we have of this suggestion. Therefore when Someone says the world is flat, our critic gathers all the Relevant information we have ever experienced on the matter, brings it to the conscious mind which then says 'sorry no I believe the world is round' That suggestion is then thrown out of the conscious mind and not stored in the basement.

When we receive a medical diagnosis we experience strong emotions such as fear, anger guilt. In the presence of these strong emotions the critic is out to lunch and The bad news goes straight to the basement or database. It then becomes one of your facts. Once you hear something it is very hard to unhear it.

Self hypnosis

Patients who with only months to live were encouraged to make a 20 year life plan. After doing so many extended their life expectancy by 12 months.

Anchoring

An anchor is something that triggers a response. The sight or smell of hospital can remind you of treatment. A piece of music can remind you of a time when you were very happy. Dr. Collins told us we can create our own anchors.

In the pursuit of optimum wellness we should help ourselves. If you have a broken arm, the doctor will craft or create a healing environment e.g. a splint or cast or painkillers. The healing however comes from within. Depression is known to be helpful in changing a negative belief. When we receive a bad diagnosis we switch off the lights on our hopes and dreams and the body says 'hey we're done we can quit'. By practising simple techniques we can unhear the bad news and give ourselves back our future. On a personal note, I found this so helpful. My mother in law died in 1985 when she was aged 60. My own mother died in 1990 also aged 60. While listening to Dr. Collins speak on negative beliefs I finally understood why I could never see myself living past 60 years of age. He encouraged everyone to make a 20 year life plan, and told us of a group of lower immune function.

When bad things happen in our lives we can stay in major resentment. Resentment is like taking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die. Dr. Collins likened it to a potential riot or crisis. When a city expects a riot for whatever reason, the automatic reaction is to put more police on duty. When a person is suffering from depression when they are unwell it is like pulling police of the streets in a crisis. He suggests Journaling as a method of dealing with past traumas in a persons life. That is writing things down. You need never show it to anyone. You do not need to worry about spelling or grammar it is for your eyes only. You can burn it when you are finished. When you talk to friends or a counsellor you are getting things out.

The same can be said of journaling. If the event that caused your depression happened in childhood, he suggests writing about it from three different angles. 1) Be that child of that age again and describe the event and experience it while it happens. 2) Write as a news reporter, detailing the facts but without the emotion. 3) Write as you are now, looking back on what happened and how you feel now. This could be a long process before you feel a positive result. Dr. Collins compared the difference between a person with Bad stuff (depression, resentment, anger) and the person without, to two bottles of Ballygowan. One sparkling ,one still. From the outside they look exactly the same. If you shake the fizzy one you have to open it with caution. Loosen the cap, release some gas, and leave to set. You have to repeat this process several times before you can open it safely. Likewise when you start to journal and deal with bad stuff . It can be a slow gradual process.

If you attempt any of the suggestions made by Dr. Collins he urges us to have patience. Many of the programmes he runs are 90 day programmes. In 90 days all of the cells in your body will have replenished. You are no longer the same person 90 days later. He reminded us of an oil tanker about to change course. When the course is changed the oil tanker is very slow to come about. We should apply the changes and wait for the effect.

The content of Dr. Sean Collins talk was based on his book "Tipping the Scales". The details of how to apply his suggestions are contained within along with others he did not have time to cover. I found his talk uplifting, inspiring and empowering and could not wait to read the book to learn more.

Cathy Bushe