In support of this view, Janicki-Deverts et al. As chronic low-grade inflammation is a characteristic feature of affective disorders, it would seem reasonable to conclude that sickness behavior is distinct from depression but does serve an important survival function ( Janicki-Deverts et al., 2007). However, the situation which occurs when inflammation becomes chronic is likely to be detrimental to survival as occurs, for example, in autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and as a consequence of the secondary effects of obesity when mood symptoms often predominate and even worsen the outcome ( Raison and Miller, 2013). This suggests that sickness behavior is a relatively short-term reaction to an acute inflammatory challenge and reflects a strategy that is critical for the survival of the individual, a concept first proposed by Hart (1988). The evolutionary advantage for such behavior would occur as a result of the avoidance of contact with others in the group and thereby reduce the spread of the infection. The term ‘sickness behavior’ was devised to describe such behavior ( Kent et al., 1992). Such symptoms would be beneficial for survival as they allow the animal to withdrawal into a safe environment so that the healing process may occur. The neuro-vegetative symptoms include lethargy, anorexia, hypersomnia, loss of libido, and, in humans, anhedonia. The symptoms that arise in all animal species following a systemic infection are essentially similar. Perhaps the evolutionary importance of sickness behavior provides a clue! Thus fatigue, sleep disturbance, hyperalgesia, anorexia, and loss of libido are frequently associated with these conditions and often resemble infectious disease symptoms such as influenza, hence the term ‘sickness behavior.’ However, the question arises whether sickness behavior seen in psychiatric disorders is part of a continuum that develops into major depression or is separate from the pathological processes which result in depression. Sickness behavior is a reflection of immune activation and is commonly associated with depression, the chronic fatigue syndrome, and certain types of cancer such as pancreatic cancer. Leonard, in Encyclopedia of Mental Health (Second Edition), 2016 Inflammation, Sickness Behavior, and Depression Behaviors such as play, grooming, sexual behavior will be reduced in illness, as animals divert resources for maintaining body temperature and combating pathogens.ī.E. It is argued that the behaviors shown by sick animals are part of a strategy to fight disease. This helps the animal to be away from the disturbances of its group mates and minimizes the chances of transmission of disease. A sick animal will try to move away from its group. However, reduction in activity may not occur in all cases. The reduction in activity helps the animal conserve energy, and spend more time resting and sleeping. Sickness behavior may be interrupted in response to important strong stimuli (e.g., a sick sow may respond to a newborn piglet). The major feature of sickness behavior is a general decrease in activity (immobility, sleepiness, reduced food and water intake). Sickness behavior is defined as the expression of the adaptive reorganization of the priorities of the host during an infectious period. Deen, in Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior, 2010 Sickness Behavior
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