Connection between physical illnesses and mental stress

Mr Ploppy · #1 3rd July 2011, 01:25

How strong is the link between physical illnesses and mental stress ? Does anyone have some solid (ie: not quackery) evidence or experience ?

MrMr · #2 3rd July 2011, 10:25

I believe the link is more powerful than we give it credit for. Anytime I have been particularly depressed, I have gotten rashes and or colds/the flu. I believe it suppresses the immune system. I've had back problems too, which I'm sure are largely mental/emotional related.

Phool · #3 3rd July 2011, 10:51

I don't have objective evidence, only that when I am ill, say with flu as I have now, I get really low and depressed. Mostly its frustration at not having the energy to go out and do stuff. My worst breakdown happened after an accident in 2005 when I became really isolated.

Rocket Spud · #4 3rd July 2011, 19:18

I'm glad theres a post about this because today i'm suffering terribly from hayfever and believe it's cause is stress and anxiety. I think this because i had a few drinks last night, woke up this morning slightly hungover and have subsequently spent a day induring more anxiety and stress then usual.

I'm taking med's for the hayfever and feel fine usually.. can only think it's because my physiology has changed because i'm mentally run down from stressing

#5 3rd July 2011, 21:05

In myself I can usually see a very clear pattern between my physical dis-ease and psychological issues; muscle pain, headaches and IBS symptoms being the most obvious occurences.

As for objective evidence,here may be a good place to start, check this out (but don't ask me to spell it!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoneuroimmunology

Mr Ploppy · #6 4th July 2011, 10:07

Thanks for the replies. For about the last 7 months I've been going through one of the most stressful episodes of my life, and my physical health seems to be plummeting as a result.

Phool · #7 4th July 2011, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phool

I don't have objective evidence, only that when I am ill, say with flu as I have now, I get really low and depressed. Mostly its frustration at not having the energy to go out and do stuff. My worst breakdown happened after an accident in 2005 when I became really isolated.

Hmm well apparently I now have a bacterial virus on top of the throat virus. And feel particularly crappy.

Something else that isn't mentioned is the impact it has on your personal life. e.g. Taking days off work, not attending events, cancelling on friends. My best friend is really peed off with me as haven't seen her in ages and we were supposed to go out this saturday but I've cancelled on her and need to rest.

All this stuff causes more mental stress and its like a vicous cycle.

Geminus · #8 4th July 2011, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyramidic

muscle pain

Muscle pain and tensions can also lead to skeletal/ joint issues.

Anner · #9 5th July 2011, 13:27

I have arthritis in my knees that is very painful but since takking citalopram it feels much better and I dont need pain killers every day. the pain comes back if I dont take the SSRI

Mr Ploppy · #10 16th July 2011, 18:32

I'm even more convinced of a link here now. My illnesses seem to get worse within minutes of getting stressed out.

Wheelie Bin Bird · #11 16th July 2011, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geminus

Muscle pain and tensions can also lead to skeletal/ joint issues.

^^ Yup. My Rhumatoid arthritis levels are elevated because of this...

Also stress lowers your ammune stystem. Hence the constant colds/flu ect.

Also increases your chances of infection (or at least doesn't allow the body to fight them off as well as they should)