Social Isolation and This

Hum - I'm afraid psychology is a closed book to me!!!! That statement just makes my brain hurt so I am very touched that Silver had faith I can explain!!!

Does this wiki help? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucocorticoid

I THINK your quote is possibly providing an explanation for several linked situations - inflammatory conditions, mood changes and so on which may also be linked with people becoming socially isolated. It isn't just the physical obstacles of pain and stiffness or other medical problems - there is a genetically related reason which is the basis for a variety of states.

In some people there are fewer receptors for cytokines that are anti-inflammatory or corticosteroids to attach to - and more that pro-inflammatory cytokines are able to occupy. That encourages the development of inflammation of various sorts (as in, where leading to different a/i disorders). It is also now known there are links for certain types of mood alteration with inflammation - depression for example. At the same time there is reduced sensitivity of the lymphoctes (one sort of white cell) to the natural corticosteroids and that allows more inflammation too. I'm not sure whether they are also suggesting that this last bit extends to the way corticosteroids work as antiinflammatories - i.e. that in chronically lonely people they may not work as well and they may have a worse or longer patient journey as a result.

I've certainly noted that there is a degree of lack of motivation associated with PMR in many people - a lot of people have mentioned it over the years. And that may be associated with certain mental health changes. I don't know what sort of social isolation is involved - are those of us with few close friends "in real" but active on social forums at less at "risk"? It is certainly easy to just not be bothered to see someone f2f when it is warm and comfortable at home and seeing others requires effort that often is maybe a bit much. Loneliness is becoming recognised as a major problem for singles of any age so it isn't just that older people are less social media savvy in general. But when we do form a community like the forums there seems to be a greater cohesion than may be the case for other younger groups - I see it here to some extent but it is very apparent on the other 2 forums where there are smaller groups who really have developed quite close relationships online.

Certainly social isolation is a factor. I was desperately lonely when my children were all in school, despite doing what I could as a volunteer. Work saved my life. I always dreaded retirement as I felt I'd be back in the same space, and that did indeed come to pass, again, despite my efforts to become involved in lots of activities. Coincidentally (?) a few months before retirement I appear to have experienced the beginnings of PMR symptoms. But it wasn't until I'd been on pred for several months, and this would be over a year after retirement as I was undiagnosed for over a year, that I began to find it too much effort to get out and about and so forth. This is still the case. I find if I'm alone all day I find it really difficult to talk to hubby when he gets home. Just want to stay in my silent shell. So I do my best to get out every day if I can, but often it's just a walk where I speak to no one.

I'm generally accounted sociable and extroverted . However, before diagnosis, the pain and fatigue kept me at home and I became much more disinclined to make the effort. Pred has helped restore the balance. I think what I'm trying to say is that if we feel that a sense of isolation is a result of our make up, and it's that which leads to inflammatory illness, then I buck the trend!