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can stress make you ill?

at the moment, i find that whenever i get stressed out i start feeling sick alot, and cant eat. its not because i feel fat or whatever, but i just physically do not want to eat. does anyone else get like this? recently i broke up with my boyfriend, and i couldnt eat properly for a few weeks lol. and during exam time, i get so stressed i usually end up losing nearly a stone....anyone know how i can stop this?!

Reply 1

lostinfantasies

I guess it can. I've always found myself to be really absolutely exhausted and nauseous whenever I'm really stressed out. Not like normal, exam stress, but when things build up and I can't quite sift through it.

Reply 2

Pepaim

Yeah stress can make you feel really ill physically and mentally. Maybe see your doc and he might be able to recommend something to help you few stressful times. Bach Rescue Remedy can help sometimes as can Kalms both of which are natural remedies. When you feel stressed try going for a walk and try and make yourself eat cos it'll make you feel better in the long run.

Reply 3

.:fluff:.

yeah stress can indeed make you ill. Not to get all scientific but you have so many hormones preoccupied with "stress responses" that you lack hormones which synthesis the secretion of hormones and proteins responsible for the production of anti-bodies, which makes you more vulnerable to illness.

I get like that from time to time. I went to see a doctor and he suggested some really good herbal remadies, they might not work for you but worked a treat for me. improved my sleep patterns too :smile:

Reply 4

Spurs

stress can make you ill earliar this year i went to the docs had od knows how many blood tests to see why i was getting ill all the time, turns out it was all down to stress.

Reply 5

mR_CaRL

Stress lowers your defence mechanisms making you more susceptible to illness.

To help combat this you just need to stop pressurising yourself etc and take more breaks; check out these handy 10 tips... http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/4health/stress/dpa.html

Reply 6

happydinosaur

Last year I became really stressed because of being in a play and doing my UCAS form and relationship stuff..I became so tired and lost my appetite and eventually collapsed and spent 3 days in bed unable to get up with out feeling dizzy. Apparently it was brought on by the stress of everything.

Reply 7

lilsk8achic666

I've heard that the Rescue Remedy works wonders. Maybe give it a try when you're stressed over something. It's also worth a trip to your doctors as well though, they will have more of an idea as to the cause of the illness and how to deal with the stress. And it is likely it will help you just to have someone you can talk to about it :smile:

Reply 8

SlyPie

Of course it can. I've stayed up till 4:30 or so in the morning for the past few days reading for my classes and I feel like ****. (uh, not wasting time on TSR of course) My body aches, etc. Stress affects your immune system and also if I don't get enough sleep, in the morning I feel nauseous.

Reply 9

Sabre

Yes, it can also lower your immune system.

edit: Oh the guy before me said it first, oh well :p:

Sigh someone has there basey music on above me and I can't go to sleep :/

Halls has its drawbacks, namely that your bodyclock will be even more messed up than it was before (at least in my case).

Reply 10

Coombe

yes, stress can be the cause of pretty much anything and often is. I think that best thing would be if you went and talk to your doctor about it and hear what suggestions they put forward and go from there.

x

Reply 11

milady

Yes.
It can raise yr blood pressure and heart rate, cause (heavy) sweating, and other stuff.

I get sick quite often during exam time. For instance, I'm sick at the moment. It's such a pain having to bring in a whole bunch of tissues to a maths exam. And blowing yr nose, loudly, with 150 people sitting silently around you.

Reply 12

Sophdoph

I can make you really ill! Stress causes the production of chemicals and hormones in your body, and when there are too much of these when there is no real need then there can be bad side effects such as higher blood pressure, raised cholesterol, inability to sleep and calm down..it's a viscious cycle.

www.stresswise.com is a really good website I found, with a matching book about teaching yourself to manage stress, it's really helped me learn to relax which was something I could previously never master.

Reply 13

shopaholic_soph

stress does lead to illness just learning about it in psychology!

eepecially at this time of year people become ill with the stress of going bk to school and getting into the routine again!

Reply 14

Gem

Stress is a strange thing, it can affect different people in different ways. For some people it can lead to illness by lowering your immune system, it can raise blood pressure, it can cause headaches, IBS, memory failure, heart disease...all sorts. It is mainly through long term stress, but obviouisly everyone has small stresses everyday...missing the bus, falling out with a mate, losing your keys...things like that which can 'stress you out'.

The main thing is to try and relax, it seems obvious but its something that can be very hard to do. Maybe doing a bit of exercise, meditation, reading, having a long hot bath, doing something you enjoy, any of these things could make you feel less stressed. It it's something bigger and long term that's causing your stress its a good idea to go and see your GP for a chat, or look at the great websites already been suggested. I hope you're feeling better soon :hugs:

Reply 15

pattirudi23

as everyone has said... yes. Stress can make you ill!

When i get REALLY stressed, I get physically sick... alot. So you just have to keep yur strength up by trying to eat well, and take lots of vitamins! Also I find listening to audiobooks really relaxing, you can take yourself off to wherever you want to go :biggrin:

Reply 16

Cirsium

Yes

My sister ended up in a situation where she was effectively working 2 full time jobs and became very ill because of it. Started off as stomach cramps and stuff, but the docs told her she had to quit or else she would just get iller and iller...