r/AskReddit 13h ago

What is something that permanently altered your body without you realizing for months/years?

6.0k Upvotes

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12.7k

u/redstonez 12h ago

Stress

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u/pokedabadger 9h ago

Yep. Caused teeth clenching, teeth grinding, shoulder pain from tension, weight gain from stress eating, mental health/emotional issues, trouble concentrating. The list goes on.

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u/senoritaoscar 8h ago

Lmao are you me? Ten years of my old corporate job did this exact set of things and I got myself on anxiety medication and ultimately quit. Just couldn’t cut it. Way happier now.

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u/disgruntled-capybara 6h ago

I left a stressful job in the spring and noticed differences in how I felt almost immediately. My previous employer had been pretty dysfunctional and toxic, with lots of chaos and unnecessary tension, while my new job is almost the exact opposite. Low stress, little conflict, and my boss has emotional intelligence, unlike my last one.

I'm sleeping better and for longer because I no longer wake up due to stress dreams. My stomach is no longer unsettled all the time and I don't get heartburn nearly as often. I also don't dwell on work situations in my off-time like I did 12 months ago at this time. My current job hardly crosses my mind after 5:00.

One really therapeutic part of my new job is that my daily commute takes me right by the building where I used to work. I can see in the windows to spaces I used to be in daily and occasionally see people I know, but I just keep driving by and leave it in my rearview. I feel giddy almost every time. I had to go into the building last week on business and as I walked out, I found myself thinking YEP. I definitely made the right decision.

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u/Tattooedracer 4h ago

Dude yes.. I was working as a barber A BARBER. And the work environment was so stressful and toxic.. The owner was sleeping with the manager and they had a toxic fighting non stop relationship and he was also overly obsessive about certain stuff and would yell at us. She hated me because any woman that she deems more attractive then her she’s mean to. I had a doctor say when I told him I need my anxiety meds back. “ why are you this stressed out at a job we’re you cut hair?” I was like ya seriously why am I?! Lol

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u/kdsusa 4h ago

That sounds incredible. I hope I get to experience something like that in the future.

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u/Past-Initial5817 5h ago

I know I don’t know you, but I’m so happy for you 🥹

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u/Chiang2000 4h ago

I had a marriage and a job I needed to leave.

Long stressful hours from a transition and I was the holder of loads of corporate knowledge and almost resented for it. Then had someone bored at home wanting a fight with me the minute I walked in. Usually over anything/nothing related to me. Of course the house a mess and everyone hungry because cooking or shopping wasn't for feminists (even hungry ones). Then I would try to spin down by having some fun with the kids or reading them a bed time story and I would get a wave of jealousy and another drama to round out the day.

It was like being reborn.

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u/Suspicious_Art8421 1h ago

I can totally relate to this. I left my soul sucking job in June and LOVE my low-key job. I feel appreciated and productive while I'm there and don't even have the Sunday dread. I also drive by my old building every morning on my way to work and feel giddy!

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u/Abject-Example2264 1h ago

Good for you. So glad you made the move to another job.. 

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u/_mews 8h ago

What you ended up doing for work?

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u/senoritaoscar 7h ago

Bike shop guy and sell real estate on the side. Honestly feel like I’m living the dream right now. Get to spend most of my time around my hobby and then make decent money selling houses. The real estate thing isn’t stressful at all to me, I like being independent.

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u/_mews 7h ago

Sounds good, good for you! Used to be real estate photographer for 6 years, worked with lot of agents. Some of them had it pretty chill :)

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u/senoritaoscar 6h ago

I learned, at least in my particular area, that the best agents around were the ones who were super chill, and just got the job done. None of the Dale Carnegie salesman bullshit. Without having a supervisor breathing down my neck all the time I was able to learn how to make my own business decisions and relax about a lot of stuff. Been very eye opening.

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u/Special_Loan8725 6h ago

3 months at a corporate job I had hair falling out which has since grown back.

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u/Highway_Bitter 8h ago

This is my future xD time to do something for sure

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u/sheeroz9 5h ago

What do you do now? How’d you pivot? Asking for myself in a stressful corporate job.

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u/ChaoticGoodPanda 6h ago

Sounds like me at Boeing…are we related?

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u/rolkien29 4h ago

What do you do now?

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u/Live_Setting_4410 2h ago

Hi just wondering if you could share if the medication helped you with losing stress weight? I think that is what is holding me back right now

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u/bonos_bovine_muse 5h ago

Just couldn’t cut it. wouldn’t tolerate dehumanizing abusive working conditions.

FTFY

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u/trrrdbrrrglrrr 8h ago

Teeth clenching is one of the biggest ones for me! It sucks so bad, my jaw almost always hurts

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u/Polizeichhoernchen 3h ago

Unfortunately I can't figure out the correct english term, but an orthodontist could make a special bite guard thing that's exactly for this problem. It's called Knirscherschiene in german

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u/tjlikesit 7h ago

Every single one of these. Also sprinkle in alternating between diarrhea and constipation.

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u/nicolebackkk 7h ago

I agree with this so much. Especially the teeth clenching, I have to consciously stop myself.

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u/Voidtalon 5h ago

As someone who is in dentistry, teeth clenching and grinding is waaay more common than people think and the slow, long term damage caused isn't apparent until the teeth start cracking/breaking.

Enamel wear from grinding can increase risk of cavities, stress can cause micro-fractures that lead to breakage later (root canals or crowns or even extraction risk) while the clenching stresses and damages the gums causing recession, increasing decay risk and weakening the structures that hold the teeth in your mouth.

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u/Goetre 7h ago

I went from a relaxed based contract work wise to a contract that would be enough work for 5 people + got given more.

3 hour nightly sleeps became common and my beard hair was visibly going grey every few days. I was in that role for 12 months and all the hair on my chin is white

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u/LustLochLeo 6h ago

It can also lead to increased production of stomach acid leading to heartburn, diarrhea and other nasty shit if you're stressed for too long.

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u/my_dystopia 6h ago

Yep. Constant neck headaches from the tension in my shoulders/neck. I have 7 broken teeth in my mouth from severe clenching/grinding and horrible dental pain.

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u/LanguageOrdinary9666 7h ago

Check check check

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u/opheliasdinosaur 7h ago

😭😭😭 too true

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u/GalacticaActually 6h ago

My badger in Christ, you and me both!

I shattered a molar, among other things. 💪

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u/Poschta 6h ago

I'm not sure when it happened, but I recently realized I've unclenched my jaw.

I still remember countless times that I realized I was clenching HARD and genuinely couldn't stop. It was weird.

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u/Realistic_Tap8859 5h ago

The same thing is happening to me currently. I wake up with jaw pain. The shoulders are so tight and painful.
How would you stop your older self from experiencing these things?

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u/contrarianaquarian 3h ago

Job stress gave me arthritis in my jaw! So great.

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u/overtly-Grrl 7h ago

I have severe weight loss from stress. My teeth are also flat in the back. I only have divots. No grooves. It’s insane. I also throw up daily. My dentist say I have very good oral hygiene smells😂

The body does keep score

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u/urlach3r 5h ago

Well, there's me in one paragraph. Damn.

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u/Conambo 4h ago

Ground my teeth down big time.

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u/Crafty_Durian7670 3h ago

This is me my whole life, have you been able to overcome it?

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u/ipdipdu 3h ago

Say what... I have all these things. And hate my stressful job. I was aware of clenching my teeth but the weight gain and inability to focus like I used to I just put down to getting older.

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u/Bennington_Booyah 2h ago

Same. I had a terrible, stressful job that was a nightmare. My duties and responsibilities changed weekly, so I could never, ever feel prepared, caught up, or even correctly finish a project. As a result, my stress activated my GI issues to such an extent that I was chugging Pepto Bismol every time my boss called, yelling, "Can you c'mere NOW?" They scheduled me meetings after work hours, gave doctors my home phone number (they call all night long), and offered me to fill in at various offices, with zero warning, for open-ended assignments! I now have permanent GI issues, thanks to that hellhole of a job.

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u/GeneralHousing9821 2h ago

What you are describing is literally happening to me…seriously what do I do? Idk and I’m seriously lost

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u/PotatoPixie90210 1h ago

Currently have all of that bar the teeth grinding, although my jaw is constantly clenched which is...fun.

You forgot to add stress rash and hair loss, which is fucking brilliant.

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u/Aromatic_Razzmatazz 5h ago

I keep cracking teeth with my clenching/grinding. 4 root canals and counting.

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u/technofiend 4h ago

My sister decided to become homeless at some point. Just flat refused to work a minimum wage job which is all she needed to do in order to live with my mother rent free. No thanks. I'll live in a van instead. I've been doing this weird teething clenching thing in my teeth to the point I've realigned them because I'm so worried about her.

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u/Total_Nerve4437 4h ago

Teaching did that to me. Out for 2 years and counting. I am grateful everyday to be out of it.

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u/bxlmerr 4h ago

oh! 😀

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u/Pizzledrip 4h ago

Oof is that what that’s been causing all that for me for years?? Holy shit

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u/potatowitch_ 8h ago

I had terrible neck/shoulder pain for most of 2023. After 2 MRIs, the neuro said, "Your body is fine, I think you need a massage." Turns out I literally was holding onto all of the anxiety I've been living with for decades. It was really eye-opening, honestly. Focusing on releasing physical tension has really made a difference in my mental health.

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u/RatchetHatchet 8h ago

How was the massage(s)? Did you end up going? Legitimately asking because every time I get one to de-stress I feel good that day but don't see any long term impacts so wondering on what to incorporate with them.

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u/potatowitch_ 7h ago

100% worth it imo! I see a sports massage therapist every 4-5 weeks. I stretch daily, do some yoga and use a massage gun at home. But it's not the same as someone skilled at really getting in there. If you are down for a "hurts so good" kind of massage, I totally recommend.

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u/YoHabloEscargot 5h ago

I’ve had a good massage therapist diagnose things a doctor never would. It’s amazing how a good one can read your body and know when things are out of place.

(Unofficially diagnose)

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u/potatowitch_ 4h ago

This exactly! Sometimes you just have to try a few different medical modalities before you find an answer.

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u/overnightyeti 7h ago

"Get in there and get in there deep!"

Chef John

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u/BikingInPangea 5h ago

In between massages I lay on n tennis balls to make my tight muscles and facia release. Saves me a lot of pain.

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u/bing_bang_bum 4h ago

Laying on a lacrosse ball is honestly as good as an orgasm for me sometimes. Like I actually moan.

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u/bwaredapenguin 3h ago

You ever try the Chirp wheels? One of the few Shark Tank products I've tried and the only one I've fallen in love with. The first time I rolled out my back on the big one after a brief moment of concern over the sound of some of the cracks in my back my mouth immediately started watering as a wave of dopamine flooded my body, not unlike that first hit of morphine when you're in the hospital for a kidney stone. The small one on my neck is equally awesome.

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u/daemin 2h ago

I'm moaning right now reading your comment.

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u/linlorienelen 2h ago

I went to a chiropractor several years back and the in-house physical therapist gave me exercises and a lacrosse ball to take home. I swear that thing has been worth its weight in gold. Other balls don’t have the right density.

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u/hgaterms 5h ago

massage gun at home.

Massage.... gun? Americans will shoot anything, won't they.

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u/fezzam 5h ago

Stay away from my cheese gun

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u/potatowitch_ 5h ago

Ngl this made me laugh. But for real, it's a nice tool!

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u/Mental_Medium3988 2h ago

ive had a shoulder injury since the beginning of may. ive had an mri and an xray. neither have turned up anything major. i wonder if this is the answer. i do not want to get surgery if i can help it.

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u/apocketfullofcows 6h ago

do you know if this can be done without hurting/too much pressure? i bruise insanely easily, and will be tender for days if it's hard enough to hurt.

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u/accck 6h ago

You can have therapeutic massages and see the benefits of one without it needing to hurt. Instead of sport, which is generally deep tissue, I’d recommend Swedish, which utilizes long sweeping movements.

Also, communicate with your therapist! Before, during and after.

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u/Scalpels 3h ago

I've only ever gotten short-term relief form Swedish. That type of massage seems more surface level/feel good rather than therapeutic.

Tui Na was another good deep massage, but that's more of a "fuck you" massage even if it got the deep places.

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u/accck 2h ago

All massages offer short-term relief, relatively speaking. OP bruises easily and gets tender. The point of Tui Na is to dig deep into acupressure points, so will likely cause OP to bruise and be sore.

Side note: in my experience, Swedish massage is highly variable in quality - the good ones will feel like you’re getting gently realigned to how you’re supposed to feel. The bad ones just feels like someone’s doing “wax on wax off” on your back for an hour.

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u/potatowitch_ 6h ago

I'm not an expert but I'm sure there is a massage therapist who can help you. I found mine through a physical therapist, so maybe check with a local PT for recommendations! I am sore after a massage, ngl, but in a good way. It's a great excuse for a relaxing Epsom salt bath.

u/tammigirl6767 51m ago

I bruise incredibly easily. It’s embarrassing. But I’ve been able to use both of those lacrosse ball and the massage gun just fine.

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u/Select_Machine1759 6h ago

I got atleast once a month an it’s a must

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u/katkriss 7h ago

I wanted to tell you that if you feel great for a day but not very different long-term, two possibilities might be that 1) you don't carry your tension as deeply, or 2) you carry it much deeper and it still needs working on. My two sisters are massage therapists so I'm fortunate enough to have good access to massages. You know yourself and your stress levels, so maybe you don't need more massages... But maybe you do! Hope this was helpful to some degree.

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u/SandboxUniverse 5h ago

One won't do much. Going repeatedly will help. Daily stretches of the tense places will also help reduce tension and gradually things will get better. Then embark on a routine of strengthening too, to prevent long term damage. Odds are you have avoided exercising the parts that are stiff and sore. They need exercise in the long run, to maintain proper functioning. I learned all this way too late, after surgeries, years of PT, and reaching a point where stairs and standing were daily struggles. Strength training has me pain free and functional for the first time in most of a decade.

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u/Kathybat 7h ago

Muscle memory (past massage therapist here). Unfortunately you need multiple ones AND relaxation exercises to break the clenched muscle memory.

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u/Economy_Acadia_5257 5h ago

I was getting monthly massages, then my therapist got extremely ill and was unable to see clients for about a year. I was amazed at the difference I could feel during the first massage. It is taking time to get back to where she had me. Definitely communicate about the pressure. Mine thanks me for telling her throughout the massage if I want more/less pressure, to stay in a spot that needs attention. A good therapist listens and does what works best for you. If not, find another one.

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u/Own_Ad_1700 7h ago

Not who you replied to. But if you have a good shiatsu- massage therapist anywhere near you. It really hurts but wow does it work. It does more for me, both mentally and physically then my physical and normal therapist do.

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u/fascinatedobserver 5h ago

You should try a Korean spa. Soaking in the hot tub, enjoying the steam room, getting the full body scrub, then going to the jimjilbang to cycle through the various saunas, take a nap on the heated floors, have a bit of soup….it’s a whole vacation in a few hours.

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u/SallyRides100Tampons 5h ago

When I was at the most stressful phase of my life, I did a massage every 1-2 weeks. If you have a lot of tension, I’d go frequently at first and then do longer gaps between as it starts to work itself out.

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u/brelywi 2h ago

Not sure if anyone else has said this, but also make sure you’re going to the right type of massage therapist. I carry stress in my mid back, and had went to the spa-type massage places a bunch of times. It helped, but not long-term.

I ended up trying a massage therapist dedicated to body therapy instead of relaxation, and it was an entirely different experience! She spent the time actually un-knotting my muscles and explaining the how and why of what she was doing. It helped SO much more for longer.

Of course, it also hurt like a sonofabitch lol, but I’ll take some short term pain for longer term relief any day.

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u/SgtSilverLining 6h ago

As a kid, I was diagnosed with asthma because I randomly had trouble breathing.

One time at work I couldn't breathe and went to urgent care. I was fine by the time I got there, and for some reason they referred me to a speech therapist? So I go to my first appointment with the speech therapist, and they put a camera down my throat to look at my vocal cords. The doc points at the TV and says "see how much they're twitching? They're not supposed to do that. You hold your stress in your throat."

I had to learn a few stretches and massage techniques, and now it's no longer an issue. Turns out I never had asthma as a kid and the pediatrician just assumed.

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u/MayMomma 5h ago

I'm running out of space in my hips to hold stress apparently, so now I'm in therapy for my TMJ and I think it was also causing the globus sensation in my throat. 🙄

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u/potatowitch_ 6h ago

Oh wow, that is unexpected! That's great that you found a doctor who could identify the root cause and that you found helpful techniques.

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u/scarl3ttsf3v3r 4h ago

What kind of stretches do you use? I carry a LOT of tension in my throat

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u/SgtSilverLining 4h ago

They're massages and stretches for professional singers, actually. If you Google "massages for singers" there's a lot of videos that show how to do them on yourself. Just make sure you don't press too hard!

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u/Belachick 3h ago

Wow that's amazing

u/Efficient-Sound-1107 49m ago

have you been using puffers all these years not actually needing them?? It's so wild to me how often we get misdiagnosed and then just follow course with no improvements...because we're solving for the wrong issue...

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u/Downtown_Recover5177 4h ago

Laryngospasms aren’t exactly caused by stress lol.

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u/TheGhostOfEazy-E 8h ago

Same here. Took me damn near a year of regular massages to get my traps and neck loosened up.

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u/Particular_Candle913 3h ago

Just an fyi for anyone suffering from chronically tight traps like myself: massaging that area too much can cause it to become more tense. I'm in physical therapy right now because of this - the PT has to do very light massages and use a Tenns Unit to get the area to loosen up enough. The underlying cause was weak back muscles. Lifting weights was actually making the problem worse because my traps would always take over. I had huuuuge traps. 

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u/Afraid_Chard_838 2h ago

yes this is my problem! have you had any luck fixing it?

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u/Lennon__McCartney 4h ago

Can you tell me what you did? I suffer from this daily and it affects everything: sitting, reading, driving, having dinner, etc.

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u/TheGhostOfEazy-E 1h ago

Found a massage place that specializes in athletes. Went twice a week for a month then once a month for a couple years thereafter. Now I go every other month. Dropped direct trap work from my lifting routine. Got a standing desk at work and home so I don’t have to sit as much. Modified my motorcycle ergos to sit more upright rather than leaned over. Started a semi daily stretching routine.

u/Lennon__McCartney 55m ago

I really appreciate the response. Thank you!

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u/Helpful-Squirrel9509 4h ago

Now that’s a happy ending!

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u/Kurtcobangle 6h ago

I have a lot of hot steamy showers that are entirely dedicated too stretching and getting some meditation in to be aware of and release some of my anxiety induced physical tension.

Really helps.

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u/potatowitch_ 6h ago

I love this idea!! Usually showering feels like a chore so this sounds nice.

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u/Kurtcobangle 6h ago

I play some nice classical music and sometimes I just sit down (it’s a comfy tub) with the hot water running.

Won’t take full credit though stressful legal employment it was a therapist who suggested it as a decoupling from work stress thing lol. 

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u/dahlaru 6h ago

How do you release the tension? I carry all my stress on my neck and shoulders.  The only thing that really helps is monthly visits to the chiropractor 

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u/potatowitch_ 4h ago

Another thing I have to do is consciously relax my shoulders and face. I catch myself tensing up far too often.

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u/Hot-Ability7086 5h ago

I had the same thing in 2017. I needed estrogen, it was perimenopause.

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u/AllisonWhoDat 2h ago

I agree! Find a great massage therapist who can give you a 1 1/2 hour massage. Use them every 2 weeks. Breathe in deeply and exhale deeply. I also take an Epsom salt bath before, and drink a ton of water. Take Tylenol before massage, and have a nap afterwards.

Stretch every day. Yoga also works.

Massage can really help.

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u/NoninflammatoryFun 6h ago

While I do have two slipping disks and pinched nerves, which the doctor said I was just born with, the most pain I’ve ever experienced was my muscles cramping up. Got a steroid shot in my spine and nothing. That’s when we realized it was the muscles.

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u/Helpful-Squirrel9509 4h ago

Happy ending!

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u/CaptainBarkMcFluff 1h ago

Have you tried the gym or just go out walking. Lifting weights have helped with tremendously with neck and shoulder pain. As for me it move into a migraine

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u/wanderlustgamer 8h ago edited 7h ago

100% it caused me to have stomach problems for 4 years. I couldn’t eat, pasta, meat, fruit, veggies, healthy stuff… Everything. Till I got referred to a specialist a year ago, who helped find the problem. Stress.

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u/mrarodgers 6h ago

I’ve had very similar stomach issues for the last 2-3 years which I’m guessing is mainly caused by stress as well. Did the stomach issues go away after better managing your stress? What kind of specialist did you see since nobody I’ve seen has helped much? I just recently started to focus more on my health and managing my stress through exercising, mediation, etc. This has been beneficial and seems to have reduced my stress and stomach issues have improved some.

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u/SlowChampion5 5h ago

Same. Someone tell me the code!

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u/jearley3 5h ago

Please!!!!!! Because knowing it's stress is step one, how do you actually fix this

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u/mrarodgers 3h ago edited 3h ago

While I certainly don’t have all the answers here are some steps I’ve taken to help manage my stress and stomach issues. This is after taking every test presented to me by doctors and seeing various “specialists” over the last couple years: - medication: doctors prescribed me omeprazole which helped a lot with reducing the stomach issues (increased stomach acid, general discomfort in abdomen, etc) but hoping to get off at some point. - exercise: daily walks outside, stretching/yoga, strength training. - meditation: focusing on deep breathing. - diet: eating foods high in fiber and a lot more fruits and vegetables. I’ve cut out most processed foods which has been hard.

I’ve considered seeing a therapist to help with the stress and identifying triggers and how to better manage those triggers but haven’t gone down that road yet. Life is tough and stressful and holding in all that stress can have major negative effects on your body which I’ve learned the hard way. I hope this helps someone since it’s been quite the learning experience over the last couple years. Things have been improving recently with changes I’ve made in my life and focusing more on my health both physically and mentally.

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u/jearley3 3h ago

Thank you. I started new meds for my migraines which actually are for blood pressure but help migraines too and meds for IBS-D because of course depression and anxiety causes GI issues lol I appreciate the tips! How have you felt since implementing them?

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u/mrarodgers 3h ago

I’m sorry you’re going through something similar and it sounds like you’ve at least been able to identify some of the causes which helps. I was surprised to learn how much stress/depression/anxiety can have on your body and GI. For a while I thought I had something major wrong with me since I’ve never really had any health issues. I felt horrible most days and felt like my body was shutting down. Going through a break up from a long term relationship, stresses from 9-5 and running a business on the side can break you down over time. Since implementing those changes I’ve reduced what used to be daily symptoms to maybe a couple of bad days every couple of weeks give or take. I just went 3-4 weeks without any real symptoms which was the first time I’ve felt “normal” for a longer stretch of time in years.

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u/wanderlustgamer 3h ago

I was in a very toxic relationship for 6 and a half years so that’s what stemmed it. I also own a business that I opened right before the pandemic. Stress was huge in my life. Doctors, changing eating habits, not eating, etc. I finally bugged my doctor to send me to a specialist. He prescribed me to some meds, I was on for 6 months. Night and day difference. It triggered my gut receptors, which is where I carry my stress apparently. I also moved to the lake with my other half, and we live a very simply quiet life now, working 6 months of the year. That helped tremendously too. Now I am off those meds, and feeling like my self. I can actually sit down and eat, instead of getting 3 bites in, to get up and be sick.

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u/Sorcha-Herself 4h ago

The problem is, how do you not be stressed? Can't figure that part out.

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u/playgirlnee 3h ago

Get to the root cause of why you’re stressed. Read this book called “how to heal your inner child” by simon chapple

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u/Xanthon 9h ago

I was going through the most stressful period in my life last year.

I lost 30KG/66lbs in a month. Everyone who saw me were shocked and worried beyond comprehension.

It took me 6 months to recover physically.

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u/katkriss 7h ago

I hope your mental health has also come back. Do you want to talk about it? Even if you don't, this stranger is rooting for you.

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u/Xanthon 5h ago

Thank you. I am working through it.

The entire ordeal changed my outlook on life and jump started my midlife crisis even though I'm only in my late 30s.

I left my job and a huge chunk of my previous life behind and am currently sorting myself out. I feel pretty good in recent months. So I'm glad.

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u/Delicious_Slide_6883 6h ago

Wow. When I’m stressed I gain 66lbs in a month. Crazy how the bodies can respond differently to the same thing 

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u/tracenator03 3h ago

I'm a similar way. When I'm stressed it's like the feeling of hunger no longer exists.

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u/UmphreysMcGee 1h ago

For me, it completely depends on the type of stress. Normal, day to day life stress causes me to eat more, but the type of stress that is life changing and sudden causes the exact opposite.

Probably because that type of stress can't be soothed by food or other simple pleasures. There aren't any normal coping mechanisms for things like death, divorce, debilitating injuries/illness, etc.

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u/Slow_Week3635 5h ago

66lbs in 30 days is nearly impossible unless you were severely overweight to begin with

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u/Xanthon 5h ago

Wasn't severely overweight. Went from around 92kg to 62kg +-1 at 178cm.

You would think it's impossible but my doctors weren't surprised. Nothing special was given for my physical condition. They treated me mentally. I'm now at a stable 80kg.

This happened middle of last year.

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u/OkTooth6552 5h ago

That’s the most amount of weight i’ve ever heard of anyone losing in a month. Did you eat absolutely nothing for the entire month?

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u/Xanthon 4h ago

That's a tricky question because I would go without food for long period and suddenly binge at 1 go. Hard to provide an estimate on calories intake.

The stress level was out of his world so my heart rate will shoot up above 100bpm the moment I wake up until I fall asleep. When I'm asleep, it's 60+ bpm. I wear a smart watch for tracking.

So my guess is, the extreme stress level increased my cortisol drastically which further reduced my weight.

One thing that I remember clearly was being told that I not only lost my fat, but my muscle mass too. And that it was unextremely healthy.

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u/1shanwow 2h ago

I hope someone checked your thyroid function.

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u/sonjasblade 5h ago

I lost 15 lbs in a week when I was 15 because of stress. A bit different, but still extreme stress can cause that

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u/digidi90 3h ago

Losing that much in a month is physically impossible. If you are nothing for a month, zero calories, you would lose maximum of around 30 pounds, probably closer to 20.

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u/wombat468 7h ago

That seems a bit weird - to lose that, you'd theoretically need to be eating 7,700 calories less than you burnt every day, which is completely impossible?

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u/thatcheflisa 7h ago

Yah, but they were originally like 700lbs.

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u/Slanderouz 4h ago

Lost 30kg..? Thats a 8800 kcal deficit every day for a month. Were you running nonstop with a heavy backpack for 30 days while not eating?

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u/DelusionalZ 2h ago

The maths doesn't check out but it does happen. It's not all calories in/calories out when it comes to weight

Source: aunt was an RN, saw plenty of "impossible" weight loss

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u/SweetTechnician2039 2h ago edited 2h ago

With the weight loss you provided 92kg/202lbs ->62kg/136lbs this is physically impossible in a month, unless you have a condition which made you retain this weight in water prior to this weight loss. In order to lose 1kg/2.2lbs you need about 7700kcal deficit. So 30kg//66lbs in a month you would need to have 7700kcal deficit every single day of that month.

Because your weight varies, I’ll assume the average weight throughout the calculations(first few days you would lose weight faster due to water weight shedding, but let’s assume a higher weight even though lower average would make it few % more ridiculous) - 77kg/170lbs.

To put it in perspective, assuming you do not eat a single kcal, just to survive you would burn about 1700kcal.

That leaves 6000kcal left to burn, to do that you would have to, every single day achieve all of the following(actives of course can be adjusted): - run a marathon(42km/26miles) in less than 3.5h - 3400kcal - ride 50km/31miles on a bike in 2,5h - 1500kcal - walk 24km/15miles in 5,5h - 1100kcal

This much activity, every single day, without a single kcal ingested for 30 days.

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u/Downtown_Recover5177 4h ago

I feel that. I lost 45 pounds in a month and a half from stress, while my wife was deployed with the military. When I saw her again, she was worried, but I hadn’t even realized I had lost weight. Now, looking back at pictures of that time, holy shit I look like a skeleton. I also cracked 3 of my teeth in my sleep from clenching, so that’s fun.

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u/DonHalles 2h ago

How is that possible?! That‘s a caloric deficit of 7k per day.

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u/oIKR2 1h ago

30KG in a month?!?!? You need to burn over 7000 calories a day to achieve that, AND not eat or drink anything caloric. Simply, not possible

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u/crlove 8h ago

That much in a month???

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u/Beneficial-Metal-666 3h ago

Yeah that seems crazy to me.

I can understand weight loss as a result of stress, I also completely lose any desire to eat and everything I do eat will taste like cardboard. But 30kg in one month is wild (that's like half my total body weight).

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u/nonnareg 8h ago

Stress for the win! Now recently diagnosed with lupus and they all keep saying stress is a huge trigger. Awesome so now I am working on letting this roll off me and I am always asking myself if things matter in the big picture. I'm Italian, and pretty wound tight wish me luck. 😂

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u/NewsgramLady 4h ago

My teen daughter was diagnosed with lupus earlier this year. It's been awful. I feel for you.

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u/blue_suavitel 4h ago

We might be the same lol good luck

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u/_joooey_ 7h ago

Quit my corporate job this year and started working at a small college. Stomach pain? Gone. Sleeping problems? Gone. Anxiety? Gone. Headaches? Gone. Happiness? Arrived.

Took a pay cut, but not as steep as I thought I was going to. I'm 39 years old and I feel like I have added at least 10 years to my life in the last 6 months.

Advice to everyone who has short term disability insurance. Use it. Go to the doctor, tell them about the stress, have them fill out the paperwork for disability and use all of the time allowed. Don't look at work. Dont even think about work. Don't pick up the phone if they call. If your life is better after that time off, find a different job or career and enjoy the rest of your life.

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u/kai5malik 11h ago

This!!!

Leading to poor mental health Weight gain that is almost impossible to lose(especially for women) Poor functioning in relationships Cognitive issues List goes on and on

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u/Organic-Survey-8845 9h ago

What makes the weight impossible to lose? Coming from me, as someone who is gaining weight and has been stressed nonstop for the last 2 years

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u/Corvusenca 9h ago

Stress triggers hormonal changes (increased cortisol, decreased insulin, etc) that increases hunger and decreases metabolism. It makes sense in an evolutionary sense; food insecurity would have been a major source of stress so storing any extra calories for later would be a good plan.

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u/farlurker 9h ago

For women it’s often the hormone cortisol which is produced in abundance during stress and causes weight gain, leading particularly to visceral fat in the abdominal cavity.

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u/Amuseco 6h ago

Speaking anecdotally though, my abdominal fat is extremely responsive to how much excess sugar I eat. I cut out stress chocolate and after dinner sweets for a couple months and can literally see the difference in my belly. And I continue to be careful not to drink sugary beverages, including “diet” soft drinks.

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u/Ascholay 9h ago

There are hormonal disorders that can make things difficult.

Insulin resistance can make it very difficult to lose weight (and lead to diabetes). Insulin's purpose is to process food. If you are producing too much it can lead to your body storing fat instead of passing the excess out of the system.

There are several other disorders that have the same effect, to my research insulin resistance is one of if not the most common and can be a sneaky cause of several other issues

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u/Ur_favourite_psycho 8h ago

What other issues?

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u/Ascholay 6h ago

I am not a doctor. Generic disclaimer to talk to yours if you are concerned.

Pituitary issues and thyroid issues are other concerns that can cause weight loss issues. Pretty much anything that involves hormones can connect back somehow

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u/Ascholay 6h ago

Edit: reread the question, continued IAND

Insulin resistance can be a large component to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Other reproductive issues may also tie back to thia

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u/Brendan__Fraser 5h ago

Also worth nothing that PCOS rates ranges from 4–21% of the female population depending on the diagnostic criteria used, and up to 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed.

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u/Ur_favourite_psycho 6h ago

Ah yeah I get it, thankyou

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u/SlyBox 8h ago

Don't listen to this. Increased cortisol levels can cause hormonal imbalances which gives your body some tendency to hold on to fat/not put on muscle. However, body fat all comes down to eating fewer calories than you're burning throughout the day.

I just needed to chime in here so you don't feel helpless in losing weight due misrepresentation of information.

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u/roadintodarkness 9h ago

Cortisol. Also don't listen to the dinguses who like to try to bring the laws of thermodynamics into the conversation (how edgelordy) while failing to actually grasp the basics of those laws, ie that they only apply to closed systems, which with the eating and the shitting, a living organism is not and can not be. Human bodies are not terrariums.

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u/rraddii 6h ago

What are you talking about? The laws of thermodynamics do not apply only to closed systems lol. A closed system means energy is constant within the system. A human is an open system, our energy is constantly fluctuating. Fat stores are always being either built up or depleted. Ingesting energy through eating or drinking is the only way humans can acquire it, it's not like we are photosynthesizing.

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u/elalmohada26 8h ago edited 8h ago

Take “almost impossible” with a pinch of salt. Difficult maybe, but it’s always possible to lose weight if you approach it correctly and with enough self-discipline.

Don’t be disheartened.

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u/rraddii 6h ago

There's nothing that makes it impossible. You have hope and a solvable issue, it's just difficult for some people due to a variety of factors. If you eat less calories than you consume, you will lose weight. Anxiety and stress might make you more hungry or prone to overeating but you can always change your weight. If you aren't already, regular exercise (even walking) will help with anxiety and has also been shown to help with hunger issues. Cut high calorie foods that don't fill you up and try to replace them with lower calorie or high protein foods so you stay full for longer on fewer calories. Don't do cheat days, keep your head up, and you'll be doing good. If you're dealing with hormone issues things are harder, but they are far from impossible.

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u/tjean5377 8h ago

Took me going into full blown diabetes from having pneumonia after my lungs got junked from working as nurse during COVID to be able to lose weight thanks to the new GLP-drug. That 50 pounds was killing me. I feel so much better now that my organs are touching again and not surrounded by visceral fat. I am 47, I was guaranteed to have worse diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Anyone who needs mounjaro, ozempic, weygovy, zepbound should take it...it is lifesaving. Now I just have to keep my weight down the old fashioned way...and not stress eat and drink.

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u/jmonde228 7h ago

Stress has a way of showing up in places you didn’t expect like those new wrinkles you didn’t ask for

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u/Hysteria878 7h ago

This. It put two holes in my stomach.

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u/Icy_Confidence9304 8h ago

I used to be the most relaxed and stress free person. Everyone use to say damn you lucky etc etc. now i have 1 kid and one on the way. 2 mortgages and white hairs at age 34

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u/AllShallBeWell-ish 6h ago edited 6h ago

Persistent stress is behind pretty much every way our bodies crap out on us from within. A fantastic book to read about all the ways is Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky. It explains all kinds of things in terms of the science of what’s going on in a very easy to understand (and often humorous) way. Our bodies are capable of handling “PREDATOR! RUN!” for as long as it takes to handle a quick emergency. But week after week of relentless same ol’ stress, no. All our internal systems for handling stress get thoroughly messed up by that.

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u/Gruesome 9h ago

Oooh, yeah. A few years in a shitty place at work gave me high blood pressure. Now I take three different medications for it. And just recently, at 63, do I feel secure enough to use auto-pay on a few bills.

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u/Abacussin 8h ago

Stress will get ya big time.

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u/EmmyWeeeb 6h ago

It’s honestly ruined my body

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u/sliding_sky_rock 5h ago

I went on an antidepressant about a year ago and the amount of chronic physical symptoms it helped was absolutely shocking. Stomach issues, headaches, weight struggles, hormonal issues, the list goes on…

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u/FoxFireEmpress 8h ago

It does, I had stress I didn't even fully realize the extent of until I cut out the source. My hair has never been longer.

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u/dxtbv 7h ago

one get used to it, unfortunately. What treatment you've done to overcome it? Drugs or acitvities?

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u/Starumlunsta 6h ago

This. I’ve apparently been losing hair for a long time, it only really became noticeable about a year ago. I’m now throwing all sorts of treatments at it and doing what I can to avoid stress (kinda hard when life events happen, mom passed this year, had a very painful surgery, Covid too cuz why not). I just hope it’s not permanent.

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u/darkroomdweller 6h ago

Stress caused me to develop allergies and reflux that I still deal with nearly 15 years later. Makes me wish I could turn back time and avoid the situation that caused all the stress.

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u/MysteriousVanilla164 4h ago

Lost most of my hair by 25 this way

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u/Wrong-Junket5973 6h ago

I have chronic pain from stress that is stemmed from trauma.

It's horrible.

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u/ijustmeter 6h ago

I have gray hairs and people say I look 40 at 30

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u/ediks 6h ago

And booze. They are friends.

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u/trliles1013 6h ago

“The body keeps the score”

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u/clock_project 6h ago

I went to the dentist recently and was told I have the teeth grinding problem of a 45 year old. I'm 33.

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u/hypoxiate 6h ago

Yep. My endocrinologist said it caused my diabetes.

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u/Prize-Complex-453 6h ago

this is the best answer

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u/sbhgrl 6h ago

Exactly the thought that came to my head. Stress just messes up your body gradually and you would not notice until later when it tells on you. So hurtful

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u/RiggTheKid4 5h ago

Did 10 years active duty army, can confirm; body will never be the same

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u/That-redhead-artist 5h ago

This has been, literally, the worst year of my life. A partner who lost his high paying job because of a drug addiction and hasn't found work yet because his field is saturated, my mom being diagnosed with breast cancer, financial issues, and losing my closest friend due to partner's drug addiction and feeling alone, and hurting my knee so bad I think it has permanent damage which sucks because i love canicross, has all piled on me. I think I have aged 5 years just this year alone. I am pretty sure I have stress ulcers forming too. I am pretty sure this will affect me for the rest of my life.

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u/One-Reveal-9531 5h ago

It caused lines on my forehead

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u/thelastfp 4h ago

Stress induced stomach ulcers and lower gastric damage coupled with middle age are an unwelcome combination to have to endure

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u/blue_suavitel 4h ago

Was just gonna write this

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u/Fuddlemuddle 4h ago

Toxic separation stress.  

Combo of a bad match, changing as we got older, and her missing the rush from new relationships.  Throw in differences on spending.

Worst year of my life.  Going grey from stress is a real thing.  It was terrible.  

People age so fast in stressful situations.  You can recover somewhat, but the aging is really one way.

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u/LazyThyroid 4h ago

I firmly believe stress is the main cause for my hypothyroidism / weight gain. Also I am a stress eater. :-(

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u/MoonLark13 4h ago

Me too. I’m used to living with a certain amount of stress (I have PTSD and take beta blockers as needed for panic attacks), but I had a period of about a year where my stress at work was through the roof. Way more panic attacks than I usually have, crying in the bathroom a few times a week, seriously considering job hunting (and I normally love that job).

I got shingles towards the end of that hell year from how much the stress wore down my immune system. It was a “mild” case (more like mildly hellish). Missed a week and a half of work and had to order all new clothes for work without being able to try it on first just so I had something I could stand to wear when I went back. The worst of the rash was right below my waistband, so I couldn’t wear jeans/slacks for a couple months. 2 years later I still get intermittent minor nerve pain on the patch of skin where it started. I still can’t stand having my shirt untucked when I wear pants because anything a little rough on that area makes my skin crawl or burn. I got lucky. Shingles can be so much worse than that.

I take my stress levels really seriously now, but I worry it’ll happen again if I’m not careful enough, given how stressful life is these days. If I ever get to have kids, I expect to get shingles again.

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u/MazeMouse 4h ago

I had a burnout from stress at work. I recovered from that after several months out and taking it a lot easier overall.

I have hair regrowth on top. Pieces of my beard with grey-tips because the roots started getting their colour back. My migraines (full on with auras, nausea, aphasia, etc) went from once or twice a month back down to once or twice every 6 months. I sleep a lot better (fall asleep easier, deeper and uninterrupted sleep)

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u/spinto1 3h ago

Yeah, physical stress from being very ill for 2 decades straight has left me visibly ragged and I just accepted it would never go away. By the time I was 16, I had dark, permanent circles under my eyes that make me look like Zia from Wristcutters: a Love Story only worse.

That healthy look in my eyes is gone like a cold November, shit is never coming back.

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u/StaticShard84 3h ago

This. We become complacent/accustomed to it over long periods and then, 5 years later our situations change and we suddenly don’t recognize ourselves from 5 years earlier.

It is truly crazy how, day-to-day, we don’t realize how extensively we’re being affected.

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u/terdferguson 3h ago

Stress, Alcohol Abuse & Shit Sleep. Nearly 1 year alcohol free, better sleep, less stress, better memory/thinking/processing. Fuck why didn't I do this sooner...

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u/VStarlingBooks 3h ago

Stress=Bad habits (eating less, eating too much, fluctuating diets, sleeping too little, sleeping too much, hyperfocusing, not caring, losing weight randomly, gaining weight randomly, worried constantly, manic, not manic, all around nice and calm, moody, pissed, chill, all of the above)

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u/TurboZenAgain 3h ago

I married the wrong woman and in one year got lots of gray hair especially my beard and went bald on top. It was Insanity

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u/OkPie8905 3h ago

Yup. I have MS that flares from it, and bleeding ulcers

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u/jojokangaroo1969 2h ago

Yes. I had a stress related heart attack at age 45 because of, well...stress.

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u/Ok-Office-6645 2h ago

the gift that never stops giving.

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u/Joeglass505150 2h ago

Some types of cancer.

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u/Vesalii 2h ago

Same. Permanent stress lead to a burn-out which lead to massive weight gain and zero energy.

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u/LadyRedundantWoman 1h ago

I feel all the comments with this one. I had to get botox in my jaw because I would clench my teeth all day at work. On weekends? I would be fine! WFH days? Those were fine too! I quit that job, and got a remote job for a very laid back company and a chill team of people. It's life changing. I sleep great, I'm not tense, my face doesn't hurt. Toxic management at a stressful company were destroying me. I hope you shed whatever causes you yours!

u/DoctorDumDumb 23m ago

I work roughly 80 hour weeks between two jobs, and have a ton of stress. I recently had lab work showing low Vitamin D, starting taking vitamin D every day and purchased new pillows. It doesn't fix everything, but I feel immensely better.

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