Selvtolerance

Selvtolerance is a term used in several European languages, notably Danish and Norwegian, to denote the capacity to tolerate and accept oneself, including one’s strengths and limitations. In scientific contexts, selvtolerance also refers to the immune system’s self-tolerance, the ability to avoid attacking the body’s own tissues. The meaning varies by field, but the common thread is a form of acceptance or non-reactivity toward the self.

In immunology, selvtolerance describes the state in which the immune system refrains from mounting an attack on the body's own antigens. It is established during development through central tolerance, notably negative selection of self-reactive T cells in the thymus and similar processes for B cells, and reinforced by peripheral tolerance mechanisms such as regulatory T cells, anergy, and clonal deletion. Failures in selvtolerance can lead to autoimmune diseases, where immune responses target healthy tissues, contributing to conditions like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

In psychology, selvtolerance refers to self-acceptance and self-compassion—the recognition of one’s flaws and mistakes without excessive self-criticism. It is linked to better mental health, resilience, and well-being. Strategies to cultivate self-tolerance include mindfulness, cognitive reframing, realistic goal-setting, forgiving oneself for errors, and reducing harsh social comparison. While related, psychological selvtolerance focuses on intrapersonal attitudes and coping, whereas immunological selvtolerance concerns cellular and molecular mechanisms that distinguish self from non-self.

Overall, selvtolerance encompasses both the scientific concept of immune non-reactivity to self and the personal practice of accepting oneself, with each domain addressing tolerance in different levels of biological and experiential organization.