Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention: the connection between autoimmune disease and stress. A 2024 study by the Global Autoimmune Institute reveals that autoimmune diseases  affect 5 to 10 per cent of the industrial world population.

 

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Ever notice how your body feels off during tough emotional times? After going through a traumatic event, some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a mental health condition that affects how a person feels and thinks. But it doesn’t just affect the mind, it can also have serious effects on the body. That’s not just in your head, in fact, there’s science behind it. 

 

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Connection Between Stress and Your Immune System

Your immune system is built to protect you. But when chronic stress stays, things can go sideways. Chronic stress is often linked to inflammation in the body. It’s also commonly seen in people who have autoimmune diseases. A 2023 study cited in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows that people who go through extreme stress like trauma or those diagnosed with a stress-related disorder may have a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases later on. So, what really happens is, instead of fighting off invaders, your immune system may start attacking your own body. An autoimmune response happens after damage to tendons, tissues, or even organs. And, this causes conditions such as Addison’s disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and IgA nephropathy have all been linked to severe stress.

On the flip side, over time, stress weakens your body’s defenses. Chronic stress can trigger autoimmune flare-ups, especially in people already living with a diagnosis. This link is so strong that experts now recognise that psychological stress is a risk factor for autoimmune disease.

Stress-related disorders can disrupt the body’s stress response system, called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This disruption can lead to problems with the immune system, such as increased production of inflammation-causing molecules. 

 

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Why Are Women More Affected?

Here's a big one: women are affected mostly. In fact, a 2019 study in Frontiers in Endocrinology shows that nearly 85 per cent of people with autoimmune diseases are women. Hormonal changes, emotional load, and the fact that women are more prone to stress and autoimmune diseases all play a role.

Throughout their lives, women go through several hormonal changes including puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. Each of these stages affects the body’s immune system in unique ways. Hormones interact with both the innate and adaptive immune systems, as well as with inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals in the body. These changes can influence how likely a woman is to develop an autoimmune disease, making women more vulnerable to these conditions during key hormonal transitions.

During meopause, hormone levels become irregular, which can affect many systems in the body including the immune system. The study in the same research has found that around age 50, women tend to show a drop in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and a rise in lymphocytes. Since lymphocytes are heavily involved in autoimmune reactions, this shift could increase the risk of autoimmune conditions during the perimenopausal stage.

Many women juggle work, family, and caregiving responsibilities, often without a break. That leads to cumulative childhood stress and autoimmune diseases in adults later on. The emotional burden builds up over time, quietly increasing the risk of autoimmune disease . 

 

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Emotional and Psychosomatic Triggers

So, can stress and anxiety cause autoimmune disease? While they might not be the sole cause, they can play a big role. A 2024 cross-sectional study cited in the Seminars on Arthritis and Rheumatism says self-reported psychological trauma like adverse childhood experiences, PTSD, or major life stressors has revealed a strong connection to autoimmune diseases. These studies show that individuals who have experienced significant emotional trauma or have a history of trauma are more likely to develop autoimmune-related diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

This brings us to psychosomatic autoimmune disease conditions. These are autoimmune diseases that are triggered or made worse by emotional or mental stress. It’s a clear example of how deeply connected our minds and bodies are. The emotional strain we carry can influence how the immune system behaves, sometimes pushing it to attack the body’s own healthy tissues. 

 

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Common Stress-Related Autoimmune Diseases

Certain autoimmune conditions are especially sensitive to stress, with symptoms that can flare up or worsen during emotionally challenging times. Here’s a list of stress-related autoimmune diseases:

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Stress can increase inflammation and joint pain.
• Lupus: Emotional stress often triggers flare-ups in this complex autoimmune condition.
• Psoriasis: Flare-ups are frequently tied to periods of high stress or anxiety.
• Multiple sclerosis: Stress is known to affect the nervous system and may worsen MS symptoms.
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Stress can interfere with thyroid hormone balance and immune response.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis often worsen during stress.
• Type 1 diabetes: Stress can affect blood sugar control and immune function increasing the risk of type 1 diabetes.

 

How to Reduce Stress and Prevent Autoimmune Diseases

There are ways to fight back. Understanding how to reduce stress and prevent autoimmune diseases in adults can make a huge difference. Especially for women, who are more vulnerable to both stress and autoimmune disease, these small changes can lead to big health improvements.

Here are some practical, powerful ways to start protecting your mental health:

• Prioritise sleep and rest: Your body heals and resets while you sleep. Don’t underestimate its power.
• Build a strong support system: Stay connected to people who lift you up. You don’t have to do it all alone.
• Practice mindfulness or meditation: Even a few minutes a day can calm your mind and regulate your stress response.
• Exercise regularly: Movement reduces stress hormones and boosts feel-good chemicals like endorphins.
• Set healthy boundaries: Say no when you need to. Protect your time, energy, and peace of mind.
• Seek therapy or counseling: Talking to a professional can help process emotional trauma and prevent it from turning inward. Book a  consult with a gynaecologist

The association between stress and autoimmune diseases is clear. While stress alone doesn’t cause these conditions, it plays a major role in their onset and progression. You can’t always eliminate stress, but you can control how you respond to it. For women especially, the connection is strong and deeply personal. Taking care of your mental and emotional health is just as important as managing the physical symptoms of your condition. 

 

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