Severe mental disorders, hormones and the immune system: A Review
The following text, generated by ChatGPT, is a structured synthesis of the relationship between severe mental disorders (SMD), hormones, and the immune system , integrating Dr. Uwe Rohr’s work with subsequent and newer research in psychoneuroimmunology and psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology. 1. Core idea in Dr. Uwe Rohr’s research Dr. Uwe Rohr approached severe mental disorders (e.g. major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD) not primarily as isolated “brain diseases”, but as systemic disorders of stress regulation , involving endocrine and immune dysregulation . 1.1 Stress as the central trigger Building on Selye’s stress concept, Rohr emphasized that chronic or extreme stress is the common denominator in SMD. Stress activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis , leading to altered ACTH and cortisol signaling . 1.2 Steroidal hormone cascade model Rohr proposed that stress does not only elevate cortisol but distorts the entire steroid hormone cascade...