Physical complaints under stress
Before every board meeting: a migraine, an upset stomach, a back that goes.
Rule out first
Real illness, which a doctor needs to rule out first. Poor sleep, diet or posture. Old injuries that flare with tension.
What could explain it
Stress response and allostatic load: Long stress has worn the body down; there are measurable signs (blood pressure, infections, poor sleep) and symptoms lift with rest.
Somatisation: Tests come back clear, symptoms move around the body, and they track emotional pressure closely.
Alexithymia: They describe pain where you'd expect worry or anger; ask how they feel and you get a body report.
Health anxiety: The focus is fear of serious disease; they search symptoms and seek reassurance or tests, which helps only briefly.
Primary and secondary gain: Symptoms arrive at convenient moments and get them out of something or into being cared for.
A next move
Ask what was on their mind the day before the symptom started. A clear link means stress; no words for feelings means alexithymia; fear of disease means health anxiety; notice what the symptom gets them out of.
If it’s you
If I didn't have this headache, what would I be feeling?