Зміст
Back pain and headaches, stomach problems or hypertension are primarily associated with chronic diseases or inflammation of the body. Meanwhile, their cause may be the psyche, or rather chronic stress. This causes tension, which leads to psychosomatic ailments – in short, our body suffers.
It turns out that mental problems can affect the musculoskeletal system, digestive, cardiovascular, and endocrine and reproductive systems. How is psychogenic stress manifested and how to distinguish it from common diseases? How to deal with this effectively?
Causes of psychogenic stress
The main cause of psychogenic stress is chronic stress. This can be the result of job loss, social isolation, or severe emotional distress. Less commonly, it is a consequence of a personality disorder or mental illness. A common cause of psychogenic stress is suppression of feelings and emotions combined with too low self-esteem. Failure to confide in needs or problems blocks such a person in their own world and reinforces pessimistic thoughts.
Finally, unloaded stress makes itself felt physically – through pain and disruption of the work of individual organs and systems. It’s not for nothing that doctors warn that suppressing emotions and stress is one of the risk factors for cancer. However, it is worth knowing that psychogenic pain has no biological basis, it is just a reaction to anger, stress or anxiety.
Psychogenic tension and musculoskeletal system
Chronic stress is a very common cause of muscle tension. They contract more easily and find it much more difficult to relax and unwind. They are active even during rest. After a while, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints are overloaded. The tension in the connective tissue surrounding the joint soon causes pain. However, not only the joints are affected, but also the muscles of the back (the so-called “strings” – painful induration appear on them) and the spine. This is often associated with neck pain and even migraines.
Psychogenic stress and circulatory system
Stress and living in constant tension strongly affect the circulatory system. Blood pressure rises, heart rate increases, and the heart becomes tense. Ultimately, this can lead to increased heart rate and arrhythmias. Psychogenic stress also greatly facilitates the formation of blood clots (platelets thicken more easily).
Psychogenic stress and the digestive system
Psychogenic stress has a very negative effect on the digestive system. Symptoms may mimic a peptic ulcer or gastric reflux. Symptoms include alternating diarrhea and constipation, heartburn, indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, lack of appetite or hunger pangs.
Psychogenic stress, endocrine and reproductive systems.
Stress causes an increase in the production of cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine in our body. This, in turn, is the result of high blood pressure and heart palpitations. Cortisol also decreases the sensitivity of cells to insulin, which can lead to insulin resistance. In men, this can contribute to problems with potency, and in women, to increased menstrual pain and decreased libido.
How to deal with psychogenic stress?
The fight against psychogenic stress is based on relaxation techniques (for example, conscious breathing, yoga) and, above all, professional psychotherapy. At a later stage, you may need to take pain relievers or medications to combat diseases of certain systems (for example, with heartburn or hypertension). They are designed to relieve pain and other symptoms that cause stress or fear of illness.
