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

[Topoftherange]

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?

My hair was falling out in clumps. I only realised today in the shower that it's not happening now anything like it used to. The most recent stressful time was 2 years ago.

I got IBS. With awful nausea in the morning, like a tummy bug, but it eased as the day went on.

I got rashes the size of a 50p coin.

Palpitations.

Panic attacks...just shaking, frozen, cold sweats.

I am so much better now. I changed jobs, the pandemic ended (I was an essential worker during it, in a very stressful job) and I left a very toxic group. Slowly healing now.

I believe significant or prolonged stress will always have a physical manifestation.

Work was usually what made me stressed and I'd notice digestive issues, teeth grinding at night and the most horrible spots on my chin, that were like boils, during the worst times. Ugh. And I held the tension from it in my neck & shoulders, too, making them incredibly sore. Pain and anxiety/depression medications never really helped. Only getting rid of the stress.

Oh yes. Started with hives all over my body. Then after a while ramped up to what I compare to an anaphylactic reaction to stress. Concurrent explosive bowels with forecful vomitting (so much fun managing that), then i turn red and start itching. I need to get to antihistamines within minutes else i start swelling. Usually have a good sleep and wake up as though nothing happened. Ive seen all the A&Es in my area. I remember the first time it happened the Dr asked my husband if i was usually this colour...like a beetroot. Changed my boss/job and it only happens very rarely now.

Repressed stress is the worst. It manifests in horrible physical symptoms sometimes. Isn't the body a weird thing!

Psoriasis caused by working as a Health Visitor.

The doctor said that the long term elevated cortisol levels had given me type 2 diabetes.

Also, muscle aches, pain in bones, fatigue, a stammer (never had one even in childhood), brain fades, word finding issues and so much more.

How absolutely horrific.

I hope the evil thugs are in prison.

I went through periods of hair loss, eating too much sugar and weight gain, sallow skin, back issues through holding in emotions and poor posture due to poor self-esteem caused by the stress. Extreme tiredness. Heavy but irregular periods. Brain fog.

*IBS
*Strange rashes on hands that would come and go
Work and wedding stress has made my *periods stop
*Palpitations
*Sore neck
*Visual migraines

Thank you everyone, this has put my mind at ease a little knowing you have all had similar issues to me when you were all going through stressful times (although I am very sorry you have been through it too).

I often worry it's something serious and those thoughts will then stress me more. It's a horrible, vicious cycle which I do need to somehow break.

Fibromyalgia, insomnia, autoimmune thyroiditis, hair loss, bladder issues (frequent urination, not from UTI), finger nails lifting from the nail bed.

I have these symptoms, was told I could have this & dxd with fibromyalgia. I'm going to try to get tested for small fibre neuropathy but NHS don't look ke funding it. I already have Sjogrens, orthostatic hypotension. I'm also suspecting essential Tremors.

Yes. Some days I cant
do anything. I can’t sleep and am then very tired and basically a bit disinterested in my life. The stress isnt of my making but I am having to deal with the fallout of the situation.

I’m currently off work due to stress and burnout. Physically I keep coming out in spots all over my body, scalp has gone all scaly, palpitations and insomnia

Hope this isn't a derail but what's Bowen therapy?

OP I've had so many issues which I imagine are due to chronic stress. When it goes on so long it's impossible to say what is or isn't related. Recurrent throat infection, eczema amongst other things.

I’m pretty certain my severe heart failure is due to many, many years of stress, along with the arthritis in my feet, neck and shoulders.
it’s miserable and inevitable.

My most debilitating physical symptoms are IBS and overactive bladder. I also get migraines, heart palpitations and damaged teeth.

I’m reading it at the moment and really finding it interesting.

I have just ordered 'The Body Keeps the Score' and hope it may help allow me to find some peace within my body and mind.

Went to see the GP this week, she has recommended that I try CBT again and prescribed oral fluoxetine so I can try a very low dose and take it slowly in the hope it won't cause me to have as many side effects as the tablets have in the past.

I need to try something as I just can not continue with these physical symptoms day in and day out.