If you have suffered from long-term stress did it cause you physical symptoms: what did you experience?

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If you have ever suffered from a period of prolonged stress and anxiety can I ask if you also struggled with physical symptoms as a result and what were those symptoms?

I have been under a lot of stress these last few years and it will only get worse. I have so many horrible physical symptoms that I now often struggle to function on a day to day basis. I am told (by my GP, family and friends) that it's simply the stress causing a myriad of issues but no amount of stress reduction is helping. Obviously worrying about serious illness is NOT helping, I know but I just can not help myself the more I struggle physically, the more it stresses me (yoga, hypnosis, meditation, exercise etc - none of these things help). I suppose the only way I would know for sure if the stress and physical issues are connected is if the stressful situation went away and it won't, not for a while at least.

So if you have ever suffered from a terrible period of stress/heightened anxiety for a significant amount of time did it also affect you physically and what were your symptoms?

Yes I had years of stress as a worker and manager in child protection. I'm on amitriptyline for neck and shoulder pain. I did wonder if my breast cancer was partly caused by stress and anxiety but it's impossible to know and I try hard not to be harsh with myself for previous issues.

I had bad back problems too but they cleared up as soon as I left my last job.

Well stress and or Anxiety releases hormones..adrenaline and cortisol so of course it causes physics symptoms too. Muscle ache. Headaches.. fatigue ... insomnia.. and host load of other symptoms... also stress can cause the flight or fight mode which adds to it. Have you thought of anti Anxiety medication?

Palpitations so strong and frightening I genuinely thought I had developeda major heart problem, despite being a perfectly healthy woman in her early 30s. I saw my GP, who sent me straight for an EKG, which was clear. Only then did he ask me what my life was currently like, said it was stress and prescribed beta blockers. The thing was, though, that I wasn’t conscious of any particular stress. Looking back, my life was actually really difficult at the time, but I was repressing any awareness of it. My body was registering it, though.

Usual muscle pain and headaches, panic attacks which felt very physical and a rash - I can’t remember the name of it, but it was shockingly bad and lasted two weeks despite a ton of medication which was put down to stress.

I have scalp psoriasis which flares up under stress and adds to my misery!

I share worry about stress causing longer term health problems - and also mindful when I’m feeling stressed I eat crap and don’t exercise.

The book When the Body Says No, the hidden cost of stress by Gabor Mate gives an insightful look at stress on the body.

Yes stress triggers my migraines and also demititis so my hands start peeling.

I find a combo of things help it - bowen therapy to release tension aspects and also rethinking/letting go if it's out of my control/external then I tell myself it's OK to leave it.

I highly recommend reading the book 'the body keeps the score' by bessel van der kolk. Or he has featured on a lot of podcasts you can find on Spotify if that's easier than reading.

Palpitations, frequent visual migraines, rash flares up, hair falls out. All due to feeling trapped in what was actually a rather benign relationship, and resolved instantly when we broke up. I am a hot mess at times.

When The body Says No is a good book. I think years of stress, traumatic events do show up in the body - the nervous system gets overwhelmed and you get stuck in a stressed state. This causes inflammation in the body which can lead to various conditions.

I often wonder, like another poster said, whether my breast cancer was fuelled by an intense period of stress. We all have cancer cells in our bodies and our immune systems normally keep them in check. Stress can really affect the immune system…

My main takeaway is do not underestimate the impact of stress on your physical health. I have changed my entire life to now be less stressful and retrained in my career.

Bullying at work by nurse in charge..I was working 5 nights initially until the Nightshift hours increased then 3 12.5 hours. Not sleeping much 4 kids
I ended up with IBS. He was a person of colour,had been suspended several times (clinical) got a solicitor,cried the racial abuse card, and was allowed back to work every time.

Yes but they aren't helping, in fact they are exacerbating my digestive issues which is causing me more anxiety. I have trialled so many antidepressants but I seem to react badly to them all so far.

Chronic hypertension which I am on blood pressure medication forever for.

Bruxism (teeth grinding) which has permanently damaged my back teeth and causes headaches and neck/back pain - I am on medication and have to have masseter (jaw muscle) botox every 3 months to reduce my bite strength.

Digestive problems since childhood and now have a condition that requires an annual colonoscopy to manage cancer risk.

Iv suffered both physical and metal symptoms follwing a home invasion where masked men kicked in my door and beat me up for money,

I have flashbacks, migraine headaches, nightmares and agorophobia. I sometimes get double vision (along with the headaches) and have has mysterious aches and pains ever since. I was in my 70s when this happened and I dont think I will ever really recover from it.

I’ve been told mine “could” be FND. Whatever it’s called yes my nervous system no longer works and I have internal constant vibrations like being on a train and chronic burning pain.
My life isn’t worth living.

Thanks everyone. I am sorry you have all suffered in the past too.

I have so many physical issues these days ranging from daily digestive issues, to aches/pain and hurting all over, headaches, exhaustion, visual issues, teeth grinding and tmj disorder. I feel like crap most days.

I wish I could escape the cause of my stress but I can't. My mum has advanced dementia and even with carers round the clock just watching her suffer and my dad going to pieces and in deep depression himself is having such a detrimental effect on my mental and physical health right now. I know it's life and others go through worse things but it really is causing me to feel dreadful on a daily basis. I have suffered from stress at other times in my life but this really is some kind of turbo version that I have never experienced before. I know my parents won't live forever but I do worry about the lasting damage this kind of relentless stress may leave.

I have very similar issues to yours. I have ruined my teeth from constant grinding and clenching. Do the botox injections help? Can I ask what medication you take for it? I have tried so many antidepressants but they all worsen my digestive issues.

Oh goodness I am so sorry that happened to you.

So many! Rashes; psoriasis; stomach issues; tingling fingers; headaches. The list goes on! Nothing serious, but pain in the arse

I am so sorry you are going through that. I follow a few people on SM with FND. I do hope they find better treatment for it soon.

I found REBT therapy really helpful really quickly

CBT would help too

I’m on amitriptyline for the bruxism and combined with the masseter botox i am feeling some relief.

I also take propranolol for anxiety / palpitations which is a beta blocker. No stomach problems.

I pretty much only suffered from physical symptoms.

Neck tension that caused horrendous headaches - a physio helped with that.
Stomach pain, nausea, lack of appetite.
Dizziness & vertigo.
Exhaustion

Towards the end of my teaching career, 80 hour weeks etc, I would have dreadful dizzy/fainting spells. I also had problems remembering things.

Good thread OP.

I was warned years ago to sort my stress levels out but sort of didn’t.

psoriasis
ibs
teeth grinding (have to wear a mouth guard)
hypotonic pelvic floor
5am anxiety attacks.

general anxiety

Wish Id addressed it all sooner but Covid hit just after that discussion and it never got resolved. Much love to those dealing with much bigger issues in life than I am.

I have had lots of CBT but it has never helped.

Not heard of REBT, will look that up thanks.