How does the subjective experience of stress relate to the breakdown of the human immune system.

Life and health in a modern industrial society requires a continuous adaptation of the body to a variety of extraneous influences. Adequate adaptation is brought about by a balanced interaction of the nervous system, the endocrine organs, and the immunocompetent tissues. Deviation of such balanced response leads to "stress" in the sense of Hans Selye and may cause pathological reactions, i.e. disease. The present article reviews the current knowledge of functions and disturbances in the field of psychoneuroimmunology and endocrinology.