Emotional v physical health
By GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11833)
March 21, 2012 11:59am CST
I´ve noticed that the recent bouts of physical tiredness and aching I´ve been suffering are tending to follow on the heels of emotional outbursts. I´d never noticed until earlier this week when I got upset with my partner in the morning then had to go to bed in the afternoon. When I thought about it, I realised that the big bout of sickness I had a few weeks ago which had my poor partner prodding me awake occasionally to check I wasn´t comatose started just a few hours after I had rather a row with someone where I got pretty angry and then upset and a day or so prior to that I´d had an even bigger argument with someone which left me fuming for hours.
So in my case certainly it seems to be that arguing is not good for my physical health! I imagine that if I was in tip top physical form I could brush emotional upheaval off, but it seems that just now it´s enough to tip me from well to not very well.
It´s not something I´ve ever noticed before so it set me to wondering whether it´s something that other people notice. Does emotional stress trigger physical symptoms?
6 people like this
15 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
21 Mar 12
Actually I just finished a report for school on this very subject. It is true that emotional stress can cause very real damage to your physical health. Part of that is due to your "fight or flight" response which triggers hormones to be released into your blood stream during stressful situations, like adrenaline. After these hormones wear off you feel exhausted and drained, but prolonged exposure to these hormones can actually damage your immune system and cause heart problems.
There are other associated problems too because the stress utilizes your body's resources like your carbs and protein, leaving fewer resources for the rest of your body to use for normal activity.
Stress cannot be avoided, especially arguments with people, but noticing when you are stressed and finding ways to calm down faster may help your overall physical health.
@GreenMoo (11833)
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22 Mar 12
That´s interesting stuff, and I should take note! I noticed after I had that really really big row before I was sick that I was actually shaking afterwards. It must take a while for the body to process all those hormones released.
I must point out that a row like that isn´t normal behavior for me, but I do have a tendency to bottle and seeth then explode.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
22 Mar 12
I can get that way sometimes too. The bottling isn't really good, it keeps that stress inside you and one day you'll take it out on the wrong person.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
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21 Mar 12
Does it ever. Get a check up now please Moo. You have a number of reasons to be feeling down and whilst I suspect that you are a "coper" sometimes even you will succumb to a physical manifestation of your emotional stress. I have been there and it's not at all funny. You'll say "It'll never happen to me" but it does. Now book and appointment with your Dr. Have a full medical whilst you are there. Take care.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
21 Mar 12
If I had something actually wrong with me I would go to the doctor P1kef1sh, but I´m sure at the moment he would just tell me what I already know. I need to cut back the workload, have a rest, not subject myself to the stress I´ve become so used to that it´s become normal life. Oh, and not argue, obviously! I´m doing my best to do those things as I managed to scare myself with how ill I made myself a couple of weeks ago. I´m sure that if I can rest myself until my body has a chance to bounce back then I´ll be able to build myself back up. What can a doctor prescribe for tiredness after all?
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 Mar 12
I can ignore physical pain. In fact I assumed for everything to go perfectly I had to have something minor wrong with me. It is emotional pain I can't live with. If I have an argument , I feel it's impact for weeks after. I used to worry more than I do now. Example, I would begin worrying about the first day of school, the first Tuesday in September, in mid August! so I never notice any physical illness Because of emoptional stress.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 Mar 12
You are doing the best thing , you are talking about it. It took me many , many years to find And trust someone that I could trust. Talking to him helped a lot. Just take it one day at a time. And do me a huge favor? Take breaks! Even if it just for 2 minutes. Take a deep breath and let it out and Then go do all your chores. See if this helps. And if you Ever need to talk , write me a PM.
@GreenMoo (11833)
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23 Mar 12
That's really good of you to say. Thankyou 
I'm doing my best at the moment to not do anything that I don't need to, so I'm hoping that the rest will sort me out. My partner is being really good when he's about, and we had a lovely relaxing hour sitting together yesterday morning by the river which I think did us both a lot of good.
I'm doing my best at the moment to not do anything that I don't need to, so I'm hoping that the rest will sort me out. My partner is being really good when he's about, and we had a lovely relaxing hour sitting together yesterday morning by the river which I think did us both a lot of good.1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
22 Mar 12
Are you going thru menopause? When I was premenopause, I'd tell my husband and/or my male cat off and go to bed. So it was physical,emotional, physical for me.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
22 Mar 12
I looked at your profile. You don't have an age listed. The only way to know is a blood test. Menopause here is 45 to 55 yrs that it could start. Early can be in the 20s or 30s and there is usually some kind of problme associated with it. Fibroid (noncancerous) tumors can make for some mood changes, too. Might be time to go see a gynocologist and tell him or her your symtoms. Best to rule all that out.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Mar 12
Emotional stress does trigger physical symptoms! When you have outbursts like this it's usually because you're holding something in for awhile and something triggers an explosion. Holding in frustration and anger will definitely make you sick physically.
Examine your life honestly and see if you hold in your emotions frequently. If so, you are going to be very ill quite often. And being in the run down condition that you're already in it will strike twice as hard. The best thing to do is express what you're feeling when you feel it, not hold it in. If you can't do so to the person you are angry or upset with, write it down, tell the goats or throw rocks at the barn. Just let it out as soon as possible.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Mar 12
TELL the goats, not yell at them! 
Poor things, if you yell at them you'll probably be mad at yourself for making them cringe and that will just exacerbate things...I once had a neighbor with goats and they were very good listeners. Now, I know you probably don't scream at them but they'll be much better listeners if you talk with them as you would a psychiatrist. 
Poor things, if you yell at them you'll probably be mad at yourself for making them cringe and that will just exacerbate things...I once had a neighbor with goats and they were very good listeners. Now, I know you probably don't scream at them but they'll be much better listeners if you talk with them as you would a psychiatrist. @GreenMoo (11833)
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21 Mar 12
Because so many of the people I deal with day to day are our volunteers, it´s sometimes hard to communicate when I´m hacked off with something they´ve done. They tend to forget that this is my home!
Throwing firewood and yelling at the goats are already part of my briefcase of coping mechanisms, but I´m thinking hard on other strategies. Moving the volunteer further from the house is a plan that´s on the cards.
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
22 Mar 12
My goats and I have a love hate relationship. We both love to hate each other! So they´re probably not the right creatures for psychiatry sessions! Now the dogs and cats are far more open to discussion, and behave like they love me into the bargain!
I actually love to watch the poultry when I´m feeling a bit stressed. I find the ducks endlessly amusing and the chickens fascinating.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
28 Mar 12
Aside from being inactive here for the past few weeks, the past couple of days have really been trying for me. I've been in such an emotional stress lately, that the past two days I felt physical exhaustion. I couldn't do anything! At work and at home. I would sit in the couch, or in front of my computer here at work, and would struggle to do anything productive.
I've been emotionally unhealthy. Hope this picks up soon.
Thanks.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
21 Mar 12
I know that I will sometimes feel physical symptoms of stress after the emotional torrent of it. Now I don't have very severe symptoms. It's usually a headache, feeling sick, maybe some visits to the bathroom.
Basically I am pretty certain that we all feel the physical symptoms after an emotional upset because stress can and does manifest itself to our bodies.
I listen to calming music more now and that helps with my stress and upsets, so I don't feel it as physical.
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
22 Mar 12
Emotional stress can certainly cause psychical pain and tiredness. I know this for a fact. Since I have been depressed, I have also noticed that my legs and arms ache much more then before. And when I get mad, well, that speaks for itself.
@Orson_Kart (6827)
• United Kingdom
23 Mar 12
I think tiredness is playing a major part here. When you are tired your immune system is down and your tolerance is low. Little things that don't normally bother you suddenly become annoying and you can blow up, or burst into tears. Knowing what I do about you I think you need a holiday, or at least a rest from the daily chores. Once your batteries are recharged (solar power available of course!) then you will be as right as rain and ready to take on the world again.
@befrindwithme26 (5805)
• Philippines
21 Mar 12
Whole body will be affected when you are in the bad day,anger from someone,sad and everything will down you off and feeling weak,tired mind and etc feeling.It is not good that our emotion control us to low down our strength because of from what we think bad from others or any hatred left inside.
Overcome it go away from it
@god_is_good (683)
• Philippines
21 Mar 12
All of the areas of our being, may it be physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual are affecting us. I can understand the situation you are in right now because I had been there too, at some point in my life. Emotionally, we are affected when we argue or get angry or our health is a concern. It's one way for us to grow emotionally. As this response arrive, I believe you are well and in good health. Good day.
@honest_efforts100 (1607)
• India
5 Jul 12
Emotional stress triggers physical symptoms because you are all weak emotionally, mentally and physically. It stresses you more. If you had a misunderstanding with your partner, calm down, drink lukewarm water and lie down on bed. Think positively, be patient and call your partner then fix the problem so you won’t be stressed out.
@Vvance (280)
• United States
29 Mar 12
You're not alone, GreenMoo. A large part of the human population is physically very much susceptible to their moods.
Instead of stating examples, I think it more useful to tell you about some research that was initiated several years ago. A doctor, who was researching such subjects, promised a homeless patient shelter and food, if he would allow the doctor to keep his stomach open(well, probably not gaping wide) so the doctor could notice the effects of different moods on his body.
He found that when the patient was angry, irritated or frustrated, the acid produced in his stomach became more potent, more concentrated and obviously more harmful. Other hormones and secretions showed similar alterations. But at times of happiness, love etc, they were most normal and even healthy, considering the patient's physical condition!
Was I of any help?
