Hearing about and observing acts of racism and discrimination are causes of significant stress. Just think about it. When you witness acts of discrimination against someone similar to you (race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, etc.), you realize that this could happen to you. We call this type of racism “vicarious” or “indirect” racism.
Auburn University (Alabama) conducted the Black Women’s Experiences Living with Lupus (BeWELL) Study. Doctors from the University of California, The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, and Emory University (Georgia) participated in this.
- 431 women with systemic lupus erythematosus of African ancestery were evaluated from 2015 to 2017.
- They asked them about their experiences and reactions to news about racism, witnessing racism among friends and family, witnessing racism in public, and seeing racism in movies and on TV.
- Women with lupus exposed to vicarious racism were twice as likely to have higher lupus disease activity than those who did not.
5 Comments
I don’t know if stress caused my lupus, although it wouldn’t surprise me, given that at one point, I was working full-time, raising a family, was in law school, and commuted two hours a day. The stress certainly didn’t help the situation.
Definitely noticed increased flare activity related to periods of increased stress, and, once I retired, lupus symptoms decreased significantly.
Thank you for your comment, Virginia. Your experience is not uncommon. I am glad you are now under less stress so that you can take better care of yourself and hopefully live a better life… Donald Thomas, MD
I grew up in a house where physical and mental abuse occurred on a daily basis until my early teens when my parents divorced. I joined the Police Force when I was 19 and was exsposed to tradgedies that caused PTSD. I started to have SLE sympoms in my late teens but was only diagnosed at the age of 47. Still working. Have regular flare-ups. Thankfully I have a supportive family.
Lourika: thanks for your comments. I’ve seen too many cases like yours. Sharing your story can help others realize that they are not alone in their experiences, and hopefully, the cycle of abuse will hopefully stop in many families. Some of my lupus patients had horrible pasts, and now I see them being the wonderful parent that they never had. I wish you all the best in the future. Donald Thomas, MD
I grew up in a house with physical and mental abuse as well. My father was an abuser and I ended up marrying a man exactly like my father. After 14 years of being married it ended up in divorce. Thinking back I definitely believe my diagnosis of lupus steamed from my childhood situation and the divorce. I could remember days when I would be so stressed before I was diagnosed my joints would hurt throughout my body. I’m doing really well now, haven’t had a any serious issues, have an excellent rheumatologist (Dr. Sheyn).