In the previous blog post, I wrote about the connection between grief and aging.
Today, I came upon the idea to list some of the most common health issues that are related to prolonged stress.
Here are some of the most common illnesses people claim to develop if being under stress and negative emotions for years or decades:
- Digestive and Stomach Disorders
The gut is heavily connected to emotions through the gut-brain axis. And no, it’s not only about having an unspet stomach, but stress can really trigger the following:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Irritable Bowel Syndrome – which I already wrote about
Acid reflux / GERD – very common if you worry to much or don’t get some time for yourself to relax
Stress ulcers.
Mentioned happens because people under emotional distress often produce more stomach acid and experience disrupted digestion.
- Autoimmune Disorders
Long-term emotional stress and sadness may increase inflammation and immune dysregulation, which can worsen or potentially trigger autoimmune conditions in genetically vulnerable people.
Examples include:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lupus
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – very common within women
Psoriasis
Multiple Sclerosis – people with anxiety usually believe that they have developed MS, because some symptoms can be the same, like muscle twitching.
Those above are serious diagnosis. Therefore, it is still very important to keep in mind that stress alone usually doesn’t directly “cause” autoimmune disease, but it can strongly influence flare-ups and immune dysfunction.
- Chronic Inflammation
Prolonged sadness can keep the body in a constant stress state. It’s like a fight or flight mode we wrote about already. All this leads to:
Cortisol imbalance – which we already learned how to balance and lower down
Inflammatory cytokines
Oxidative stress.
- Heart and Circulatory Problems
Emotional suffering affects the cardiovascular system more than most people realize.
Possible effects:
High blood pressure
Increased heart rate – which can also be a part of anxiety
Chest tightness
Higher risk of heart disease
Stress cardiomyopathy (“broken heart syndrome”).
The condition known as Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy can occur after intense emotional distress.
- Hormonal and Endocrine Problems
Chronic sadness can disrupt hormone regulation, which leads to:
Thyroid imbalance
Menstrual irregularities
Lower testosterone
Adrenal fatigue-like symptoms
Weight gain or weight loss.
Stress hormones strongly affect metabolism and energy regulation.
- Chronic Fatigue and Pain Syndromes
Long-term emotional distress is associated with:
Fibromyalgia-like symptoms
Muscle tension
Chronic fatigue
Headaches
Migraines
Body aches of all sorts…
7. Skin conditions and problems:
Stress and sadness can worsen:
Acne
Eczema
Psoriasis
Hives
Hair loss.
Skin inflammation is closely linked to nervous system activity.
Besides everything mentioned above, prolonged and big life stress can cause sleep disruption, which worsens your health in general with time.
Metabolic problems are common too, and are linked to weight changes, insulin resistance, or even type 2 diabetes risk.
All this happens because our bodies don’t fully separate “mental” and “physical” suffering.
