Anxiety as a Factor of Bodily Dysfunction: A Psychosomatic Perspective

Abstract:

Anxiety, as a state of psychological and physiological hyperarousal, does not manifest solely at the emotional level but involves a complex interplay of neuroendocrine, autonomic, and immune responses. Negative thoughts and emotions are not merely abstract processes; they produce real biochemical changes that influence the function of the endocrine glands and, consequently, the homeostatic balance of the body.

1. Neurobiological Mechanisms of Anxiety

When a person perceives a situation as threatening, the limbic system—particularly the amygdala—activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH acts on the adrenal glands, leading to the secretion of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol.

This hormonal cascade is essential for the “fight-or-flight” response, but when sustained chronically, it produces systemic dysregulation. Cortisol, for instance, when elevated for long periods, impairs immune, digestive, and reproductive function, contributing to inflammation, sleep disturbances, insulin resistance, and fatigue.

2. The Thought–Neurotransmitter–Body Interface

Anxiogenic thoughts, when repeated, maintain a specific neuronal circuit between the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, generating a constant state of alertness. These thoughts alter the secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine, directly influencing the autonomic nervous system.

As a result, the sympathetic system becomes dominant, inhibiting parasympathetic functions responsible for digestion, regeneration, and sleep. Therefore, individuals with chronic anxiety often experience nausea, dizziness, muscle tension, digestive disorders, headaches, or insomnia—all somatic expressions of neurochemical imbalance.

3. The Role of Endocrine Glands in Maintaining Balance

Each endocrine gland responds to signals originating from the central nervous system. For example:

• Thyroid gland – sensitive to chronic stress, may reduce the conversion of T4 to T3, causing fatigue, apathy, and metabolic slowdown.

• Adrenal glands – when overstimulated, produce excess cortisol followed by adrenal exhaustion.

• Pancreas – affected by continuous adrenaline secretion, which disrupts blood glucose regulation.

• Gonads (sex glands) – decrease activity under stress, impairing libido and hormonal balance.

Thus, thoughts and emotions are not mere psychological events but biochemical messages that propagate throughout the organism via the neuroendocrine and autonomic systems.

4. Psychosomatic Implications

From a psychosomatic standpoint, anxiety represents an energetic and informational blockage between the psyche and the body. When an individual fails to process fear, inner conflict, or insecurity, the body becomes the messenger of the unspoken emotion. Physical symptoms (muscle pain, neck tension, dizziness, digestive disturbances) are the body’s attempt to express what the mind suppresses.

This connection explains why psychotherapeutic interventions focused on emotional awareness, breath regulation, mindfulness, and body reconnection yield beneficial effects that are not only psychological but also physiologically measurable.

5. Conclusion

Anxiety is not merely a mental state but a complex psycho–neuro–endocrine phenomenon. Negative thinking and emotional suppression trigger hormonal responses that disrupt essential bodily functions. Understanding this relationship is fundamental to an integrative approach to health, in which healing the mind also means healing the body.