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Research indicates that autoimmune diseases significantly affect women, representing nearly 80% of cases. Furthermore, women also experience higher rates of anxiety, PTSD, and anorexia. As someone living with both an autoimmune disorder and anxiety, I was intrigued by this data.
Then, serendipitously, a TikTok video titled “Unprocessed Anger is Making You Sick” caught my attention. It raised a question: Could a major underlying factor in these statistics be behavioral as much as biological? Specifically, does suppressed anger play a role in declining health among women?
Many women, including myself, struggle to express their anger. Therapy has revealed to me how deeply entrenched this issue is—society often conditions women to silence themselves, prioritize caretaking, and maintain a calm facade. Anger is predominantly viewed as a masculine trait, yet it is a universal emotion that should be expressed in healthy and balanced ways. When we inhibit this expression, can it manifest physically as illness?
In the late 1980s, psychologist Dana Jack identified a pattern of “self-silencing” among her female patients, suggesting that suppressing one’s needs and avoiding conflict heightened the risk of depression. A more recent study from the University of Pittsburgh indicated that suppressed anger in women of color was linked to a 70% increase in the risk of atherosclerosis, exacerbating the chance of developing heart diseases.
The notion that bottled-up anger can affect physical health resonates deeply with many women. Sarah, 37, from London, was diagnosed with pernicious anemia at age 21 after battling anorexia. Later, at 34, she received a fibromyalgia diagnosis following a series of emotional and physical traumas. “I often felt unheard,” she shares. “The more I advocated for myself, the less support I received, pushing me into silence.”
“The anger I felt towards friends, family, and society fermented within me, manifesting in bodily pain—my gut, chest, shoulders, and throat. I recognized that this pain was somatic, a physical expression of unaddressed emotions. To release it, I embraced ecstatic dance, massage, breathing techniques, and grounding exercises. Following intense sessions, I often find myself crying, feeling the trapped emotions dissipate.”
Now, Sarah diligently employs these methods to prevent both past and present pain from building up. “If I don’t, my body retaliates with widespread pain, skin sensitivity, exhaustion, and mental fog. My fibromyalgia specialist prescribes medications, physical therapy, and holistic treatments, but we both agree that engaging in physical and emotional release is the most effective approach to managing my condition.”
Stress and Immune Health
Dilly, a 29-year-old from London, has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid, resulting in a reduced metabolism. She experiences muscle pain, hair loss, intolerance to cold, and mood fluctuations. “After a particularly stressful year filled with personal struggles, I finally sought medical help and was diagnosed,” Dilly recounts. “My GP suggested that my thyroid may have been underactive for years, unbeknownst to me.”
As she trains to become a doctor, Dilly finds little time to process her diagnosis or emotions. “My GP’s nonchalant attitude when delivering the news made me question my own anxieties about lifelong medication. I ended up suppressing my feelings, which negatively influenced my health. Recently, I had to increase my dosage even though my levels had remained stable for three months.”
Experts suggest there may be a link between suppressed emotions and physical ailments. Dr. Jolene Brighten, a certified naturopathic endocrinologist, explains, “Suppressing emotions, particularly anger, can lead to increased stress, dysregulated immune function, and chronic inflammation, which may worsen autoimmune diseases.”
She highlights research linking emotional repression to prolonged activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which can lead to immune dysfunction and exacerbate conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
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Dr. Sula Windgassen, a Health Psychologist, emphasizes that health is inherently linked to biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. “Addressing health or illness requires considering all these aspects collaboratively,” she remarks.
While some studies indicate a connection between emotional suppression and immune dysfunction, Windgassen points out that research is still developing. “Insufficient studies focus specifically on suppressed anger and its impact on immunity. However, psychoneuroimmunology offers compelling evidence that emotional suppression can affect immune function.”
The Body’s Response to Suppression
All emotions are mediated biologically through brain processes, nervous system changes, and hormonal responses. However, there is no unique physiological marker linked to specific emotions such as anger or sadness. Windgassen clarifies, “It’s not the emotions themselves that are harmful; instead, it is our reactions that can strain our bodies.”
Suppression, she says, is one of the most draining responses, as it activates higher-order brain regions while diminishing function in emotion-processing centers. This can lead to a spike in cortisol levels, which disrupts immune function.
Cortisol can either inhibit immune responses, leaving the system slow to react, or overactivate it, causing inflammation—a clear indication of immune dysfunction.
Although research is ongoing, evidence increasingly suggests that suppressing emotions, including anger, can have significant physiological impacts.
Finding Healthy Outlets
So, how can women avoid emotional suppression adversely affecting their health? Dr. Brighten recommends fostering emotional awareness through journaling, therapy, or somatic practices. “Regular physical activity, mindfulness, and breathing exercises can help regulate the nervous system and mitigate the physical effects of suppressed anger.”
She stresses the importance of establishing boundaries, developing assertive communication skills, and nurturing supportive relationships. “Expressing anger constructively can alleviate the stress-related risks linked to immune dysfunction and inflammation,” she notes.
Both Sarah and Dilly’s experiences highlight an essential truth revealed by research: unprocessed emotions can lead to physical manifestations of chronic health conditions. Whether manifesting through therapy, movement, or mindfulness, adequately acknowledging and addressing emotions—especially anger—may be crucial for safeguarding both mental and physical well-being.
