Silent Link: Stress and Autoimmune Disorders

Could stress be the reason our immune system turns against us? While stress is often reduced to nothing more than an emotional burden, it has serious effects on the body that are not always visible. We experience it every day without realizing: constant worries leave a physical footprint on our bodies.

The immune system is designed to protect our bodies from viruses, bacteria, and other threats, but under chronic stress, the balance can be lost. Stress hormones–such as cortisol, which is a hormone useful in emergencies as they regulate the body’s response to danger–can become harmful when they remain elevated for long periods of time. Instead of helping, they disrupt immune communication, increase inflammation, and can cause the system to attack healthy tissues. This makes the body more vulnerable to the onset or flares of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis.

Stress does not create autoimmune diseases, but it acts as a trigger that can cause symptoms to appear earlier or make flare-ups more severe. For example, many patients with lupus–a chronic condition that generates persistent inflammation and can damage organs such as the skin, joints, kidneys, and even the cardiovascular system–report that after long periods of stress, their condition worsens temporarily.

Recognizing the link between stress and autoimmune disorders opens the door to better care and prevention, which is why it’s so important to look after mental health and learn how to manage stress. Effective strategies such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, or even seeking psychological support may aid in regulating stress levels. While these actions may not cure autoimmune diseases, they reduce the risk of flare-ups and improve quality of life.

Jan 6 • Written by Fernanda Preciado • Edited by Nathan Lee and Erin Tran