Discussion Physical Pain from Stress

[MonochromeMind]

Hello everyone!

After a stressful event a couple days ago, I've been having stomach pain. I'm sure many people have felt sick to their stomach, in a way, which I have before as well, but this is the longest that it's lasted.
Seeing as I can't take my mind off the sensation, I began to wonder how many other people have felt this way, for how long, how intensely, etc.

What type of physical effects? Headaches? Stomachaches? Multiple effects?
How long have they lasted? A few hours? Weeks?
Are there other factors besides emotions, such as lack of sleep, if you're feeling weak or heavy, or your eyes hurt?

I'd appreciate hearing anything on your mind regarding this topic! Thank you for taking the time to read this, either way!
(⁠＾⁠∇⁠＾⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♪

 

[OzymandiAsh]

I have FND (functional neurological disorder), this is a common feature. I voted 5 because I experience more physical discomfort or distress from emotional stress rather than acute pain per se, although the line there is blurry. Twitching, pulsing, tingling and other strange sensations, as well as stomach stuff, sometimes headaches, etc. highly variable.

 

[Arvayn]

At the height of my depression, I would randomly get pretty extreme joint stiffness and shortness of breath. All of my limbs would lock and I'd be nearly unable to move, while my muscles cramped up and my breathing got extraordinarily painful. This only happened when I was depressed.
I also had more minor anomalies, such as my eyelids uncontrollably twitching, and the pain in my left knee from an accident many years ago suddenly rebounding and becoming noticeable again (after not being present for ages; it is now gone again).

EDIT: Oh, and headaches, of course. Lots of headaches...

 

[MonochromeMind]

I have FND (functional neurological disorder), this is a common feature. I voted 5 because I experience more physical discomfort or distress from emotional stress rather than acute pain per se, although the line there is blurry. Twitching, pulsing, tingling and other strange sensations, as well as stomach stuff, sometimes headaches, etc. highly variable.

I'm sorry to hear you have to deal with that, but I very much appreciate hearing about your experience! It's very informative!

At the height of my depression, I would randomly get pretty extreme joint stiffness and shortness of breath. All of my limbs would lock and I'd be nearly unable to move, while my muscles cramped up and my breathing got extraordinarily painful. This only happened when I was depressed.
I also had more minor anomalies, such as my eyelids uncontrollably twitching, and the pain in my left knee from an accident many years ago suddenly rebounding and becoming noticeable again (after not being present for ages; it is now gone again).

I've also experienced very mind shortness of breath, and my eyelids twitching as well, though both of these weren't anything extreme, in my case. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Thank you for sharing, though!

 

[Forever Sleep]

It definitely does affect me. Nervousness affects me the most. If I have to attend an interview or some work thing I'm nervous about, it will totally screw up my digestive system and I'll (very embarassingly) get the runs.

 

[NoHorizon]

Yes! Quite recently I've had a lot of stomach pain which often comes on when I'm getting stressed and angry. Our stomachs are often referred to as "the second brain" and there's a lot that links our mental health to our gut health (in both directions, so poor gut health can also hugely impact our moods).

 

[Forveleth]

I have not experienced too much pain from mental health issues, thankfully. Usually the physical affects are either exhaustion (with depression) or nausea (with anxiety). In bouts of prolonged depression I have had extended periods of general soreness/aches. Kind of like when you have the flu. I said 3 because they are not that bad, just enough for me to notice and be confused why I have no other flu symptoms.

 

[GodzillasBiggestFan]

stomach stuff, chest aching and in the past skin getting sore really sore in patches though that one doesn't reallu happen anymore. the sore skin and chest would be the most painful usually. the chest isn't that bad because it usually doesn't last too long but the skin being sore would last all day which was rough.

 

[metfan647]

I get moderate pain all through the neck, trapezius and shoulders. It gets pretty severe when walking for long periods. I've developed poor posture which I think has come from or at least exacerbated by low self-esteem. I stopped walking tall with my shoulders back and chest out due to feeling like an inferior person. It's also possibly contributed to the onset of tendonitis.

Maybe there's nothing physically wrong anymore and it's healed/healing but the chronic pain is very much there.

I have some possible immune system issues (chronic rash on face worsened by stress, joint pain, alopecia of the beard, extreme irritability) triggered by stress too which I'm going to the doctor about.

I know things could be 10000x worse, but this on top of the lack of interest in life makes me want out of this life.

 

[MonochromeMind]

I get moderate pain all through the neck, trapezius and shoulders. It gets pretty severe when walking for long periods. I've developed poor posture which I think has come from or at least exacerbated by low self-esteem. I stopped walking tall with my shoulders back and chest out due to feeling like an inferior person. It's also possibly contributed to the onset of tendonitis.

Maybe there's nothing physically wrong anymore and it's healed/healing but the chronic pain is very much there.

I have some possible immune system issues (chronic rash on face worsened by stress, joint pain, alopecia of the beard, extreme irritability) triggered by stress too which I'm going to the doctor about.

I know things could be 10000x worse, but this on top of the lack of interest in life makes me want out of this life.

First off, I'm very sorry to hear you're going through all of this.
There are a lot of very interesting points here that I hadn't considered, though, such as certain postures, due to feelings, then having said posture contributing more pain, adding to worse feelings.
I personally tend to stare down at the ground as to not make even possible eye contact with anyone, which causes my neck to hurt, which just makes me feel worse.
I understand your case is different, I just thought it was a very interesting point to emphasize, that may have a lot of similar cases.
Thank you very much for sharing!!

 

[OnMyLast Legs]

After trying to psych myself up for FSH this morning my armpits reeked. Even after a shower there was some crazy stress-smell coming out.

 

[Jun123]

When my anxiety gets really bad, I often get really intense stoageaches and sometimes on top of that headaches. For me they usally last a couple of hours. I try to get some sleep when that happens to calm myself down and if that still doesn't work I take medicine against the pain

 

[metfan647]

First off, I'm very sorry to hear you're going through all of this.
There are a lot of very interesting points here that I hadn't considered, though, such as certain postures, due to feelings, then having said posture contributing more pain, adding to worse feelings.
I personally tend to stare down at the ground as to not make even possible eye contact with anyone, which causes my neck to hurt, which just makes me feel worse.
I understand your case is different, I just thought it was a very interesting point to emphasize, that may have a lot of similar cases.
Thank you very much for sharing!!

Thank you. I agree it's all very interesting. The idea that low self-esteem, starting from your thoughts up top can go all the way to your toes is fascinating yet very worrying. Poor posture causing compensatory movements through the spine then the hips. Making its way down the knee which then turns in causing overpronation.

That tendency to look down will certainly cause posture issues long term. Don't let it become chronic

 

[MonochromeMind]

That tendency to look down will certainly cause posture issues long term. Don't let it become chronic

I'll try my best to remember that, thank you!
I really appreciate your messages! <3