S – Social Perspective: An Invisible War Within the Body
The human being is created to protect itself. The immune system inside our bodies defends us throughout life from bacteria, viruses, and foreign cells. But sometimes, this very system begins to see its own owner as the enemy — and war begins.
This war may be called lupus.
Lupus is not widely known among the public, but for those who live with it, it is a silent battle between body and soul.
Arms, legs, and joints ache...
Sunlight burns the skin...
Fatigue drains the meaning from daily life...
And the hardest part: the pain is invisible.
Lupus patients are often labeled by society as “dramatic,” “lazy,” or “psychological.” Yet these individuals fight internal attacks from their own bodies every single day.
This article is meant to hear their voice, to understand this invisible war, and to convey it to the world.
A – Academic Perspective: What Is Lupus and How Does It Develop?
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – SLE) is one of the autoimmune diseases. In lupus:
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the body’s immune system identifies healthy cells as foreign,
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it begins to produce antibodies against them,
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which results in damage to tissues, organs, and bodily systems.
1. Causes
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Genetic predisposition: Risk is higher in people with a family history of lupus.
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Environmental factors: Sunlight, viruses, certain medications.
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Hormonal factors: It occurs more frequently in women, especially of childbearing age.
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Stress and trauma: Psychological factors are increasingly recognized in recent research.
2. Symptoms
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Chronic fatigue
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Skin rashes (especially butterfly-shaped rash on the face)
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Joint pain and swelling
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Hair loss
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Involvement of kidneys, heart, and nervous system
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Changes in immune markers
3. Diagnosis
Diagnosing lupus is challenging, as its symptoms overlap with other diseases. Key elements in diagnosis include:
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ANA (antinuclear antibody) test
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Inflammatory markers like ESR, CRP
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Kidney function tests
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Clinical observations and patient-reported symptoms
4. Treatment
Although lupus is not fully curable, it can be managed with:
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Anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants)
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Lifestyle changes
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Stress management
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Continuous monitoring and follow-up
İ – Public Perspective: The Visible Burden of an Invisible Disease
For lupus patients, the difficulty doesn’t end with physical symptoms. Their social lives are just as affected.
1. Work and Family Life
Lupus patients often need frequent sick leave and may sometimes have to leave their jobs entirely.
This leads to economic hardship, loss of confidence, and social isolation.
2. Lack of Understanding from Loved Ones
People often say:
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“She complains every evening,”
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“It’s always another excuse.”
Such comments emotionally crush the patient, creating feelings of shame and loneliness.
3. Psychological Effects
60% of lupus patients experience depression or anxiety disorders.
Skin and hair problems cause low self-esteem and social phobia.
4. Additional Challenges for Women
Lupus often affects young women,
putting at risk both their dreams of motherhood and stability in relationships.
T – Research Perspective: What Does Science Say?
Recent studies have revealed more scientific realities about lupus:
1. Psychosomatic Factors
Joint studies by Harvard and Stanford have shown that lupus is often triggered after psychological stress.
Women who experienced childhood trauma are three times more likely to develop lupus.
2. Hormonal Regulation
Since lupus is more prevalent among women, the role of estrogen has been investigated.
Estrogen enhances immune responses, potentially increasing autoimmune activity.
3. Environmental Influence
Sensitivity to sunlight has increased; UV rays are known to trigger lupus flares.
Chemical exposure and viruses (like EBV) are also risk factors.
4. Genomic Research
More than 30 genes have been linked to lupus.
However, these genes alone are not the cause — the disease emerges through a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
Conclusion: The Immune System’s Attack Is Not Against the Body — It’s a Message from Life
Lupus is more than just a disease. It is a metaphor for when the immune system no longer recognizes the self.
Perhaps it's the body’s way of asking:
“Why have you burdened me so much?”
Perhaps it is a way that emotions, stress, and silence get inscribed into the body.
Remember:
Lupus may arrive silently,
sometimes it begins in silence,
but it cannot be treated with silence.
The human body is a home,
and the immune system is its guardian.
So why does the guardian destroy its own home?
The answer lies not only in medicine —
but also in the soul, psychology, and social relationships.