Can Stress Really Trigger Autoimmune Disease? Here's What the Research Says.
If you’ve ever been told your autoimmune condition “just happened,” I want you to know there’s more to the story.
As an autoimmune coach, I help people look deeper—beyond symptoms and flare-ups—to get to the root of why their body is inflamed or attacking itself in the first place. And one of the most overlooked root causes? Unresolved stress and trauma.
In fact, science is finally catching up to what many of us have felt in our bodies for years.
PTSD and Autoimmune Disease: What the Research Reveals
A 2020 study of over 120,000 active military personnel in the U.S. looked at the connection between PTSD and several autoimmune diseases—including:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Inflammatory bowel diseases (like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis)
Multiple sclerosis
The result?
People with a history of PTSD had a 58% higher risk of developing one of these autoimmune diseases compared to those without PTSD.
Why? Because PTSD doesn’t just live in the mind—it impacts your nervous system, immune function, and hormones in powerful ways.
The study found that PTSD can lead to:
Constant hyperarousal and fear states
Changes in how your immune and endocrine systems function
Increased inflammatory markers
Accelerated aging of immune cells
Low levels of glucocorticosteroids (stress-buffering hormones)
These changes can push the body into a state of chronic inflammation—a key factor in developing autoimmune disease.
The Sweden Study: Stress and Autoimmunity
Another large-scale 2018 study from Sweden found similar results. It showed a clear link between stress-related disorders (like PTSD, anxiety, and trauma exposure) and a higher risk of autoimmune conditions.
Researchers believe this happens because:
Chronic stress weakens immune regulation
Trauma can lead to cortisol dysregulation (especially in people exposed to trauma in childhood)
The body becomes stuck in "fight or flight," and the immune system stays on high alert
Trauma often changes behavior—disrupted sleep, increased alcohol use, smoking, etc.—all of which increase autoimmune risk
What This Means for You
Autoimmune conditions typically don’t appear out of nowhere. They’re complex. And while genes may load the gun, it’s often chronic stress, trauma, or toxic environments that pull the trigger.
This is why I take a root-cause approach in every one of my programs—whether it’s working on gut health, skin flare-ups, energy crashes, or autoimmune symptoms.
I don’t just focus on what you eat or what supplements you take—I help you shift the environment your body is responding to. That includes your nervous system, trauma history, stress load, and lifestyle habits.
If you’re dealing with:
Fatigue that never lifts
Flare-ups that seem to come out of nowhere
Gut issues, skin issues, or anxiety alongside autoimmune symptoms
…this may be your body trying to tell you something deeper.
Final Thoughts
There are over 80 known autoimmune diseases—including celiac, Type 1 diabetes, lupus, RA, IBD, psoriasis, and more. But they often share one common thread: a nervous system and immune system that have been pushed past their limits.
If you want support getting to the real root of your symptoms—without the guesswork or endless trial-and-error—I’m here to help.
If you're ready, tap into my 1:1 coaching appointments or join my Calm Gut Community — both are designed specifically for people with autoimmune, gut, and inflammatory issues. Give your body what it’s really asking for: calm, nourishment, and repair.
Reference:
(BMC Psychiatry): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6964079/
PubMed summary: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31941473/
Full text (JAMA): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2685155
PubMed summary: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29922828/
Medical News Today overview: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ptsd-and-autoimmune-diseases
