An anxiety fever, also known as a psychogenic fever, isn't a fever in the traditional sense of a bacterial or viral infection. Instead, it refers to a rise in body temperature caused by psychological stress, anxiety, or emotional distress. While the underlying mechanism isn't fully understood, it's believed that brain activity related to intense emotional states triggers physiological responses, including an increase in body temperature.
Understanding Psychogenic Fever
Psychogenic fever is a psychosomatic condition, meaning it involves both psychological and physical components. The fever isn't caused by an infection but rather by the brain's reaction to intense emotional states. The stress response can lead to vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), potentially contributing to a perceived or actual rise in temperature. This is often accompanied by other symptoms associated with stress and anxiety, such as increased heart rate, sweating, and facial flushing.
- Triggering Factors: Stressful situations like public speaking, exams, or intense emotional experiences can trigger psychogenic fever.
- Prevalence: It is more commonly observed in young women.
- Symptoms: Besides a slightly elevated temperature, symptoms might include feelings of intense heat, sweating, or a racing heart.
- Diagnosis: Diagnosing a psychogenic fever requires ruling out other causes of fever through a medical evaluation.
Several sources highlight the connection between psychological stress and elevated body temperature. One study discussed how stress-related psychosomatic diseases, like psychogenic fever, manifest with extremely high core body temperatures (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4843908/). Another source emphasizes that while anxiety can cause a fever, it is infrequent, and the reported "fever" may often be a subjective feeling of warmth rather than a clinically significant temperature elevation (https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/symptoms/causing-fever).
It's crucial to remember that experiencing anxiety doesn't automatically mean you'll develop a psychogenic fever. It's a relatively rare occurrence. If you experience a fever accompanied by anxiety, it's essential to seek medical attention to rule out other underlying medical conditions.
