Can Repressing Emotions Cause Chronic Pain and Illness?

What if the aches, tension, and fatigue you’ve been fighting are your emotions asking to be felt? We unpack the research on emotional suppression and show how a nervous system stuck in “danger” can translate stress into very real pain/illness—without structural damage. Drawing on studies of suppression and stress reactivity and clinical insights from neuroplastic pain work, we make the science practical, humane, and doable in everyday life.

We walk through four patterns that keep feelings trapped in the body. Alexithymia makes it hard to notice and name what’s happening inside, so emotions “appear” as symptoms or outbursts. Viewing sensations as dangerous turns normal states like sadness or excitement into alarms you try to outrun. Avoidance behaviors—angry cleaning, overworking, caretaking, doom scrolling, perfectionism, sweets or alcohol—numb for a moment but teach the brain that inner experience is unsafe. Invalidation finishes the loop with self talk like “others have it worse,” which buries signals you need to actually heal. You’ll hear candid stories about misreading sensations, blowing past capacity, and how simple validation can redirect an entire day.

Then we offer a clear, repeatable healing cycle. Use short embodiment practices to connect with sensations safely. Approach feelings with curiosity and compassion, noticing qualities like tight, buzzy, heavy, or warm. As safety grows, the nervous system downshifts on its own and symptoms desensitize. We talk about working within your window of tolerance, using strategic avoidance when you’re flooded, and choosing small, consistent check ins that build confidence. By learning to surf emotional waves instead of suppressing them, you teach your brain that discomfort isn’t danger—and relief follows.

If this resonates, press play and try the guided check in with us. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs a gentler way to heal, and leave a review telling us which resistance pattern you’re rewriting next.

Tanner Murtagh and Anne Hampson are therapists who treat neuroplastic pain and mind-body symptoms. They are also married! In his 20s, Tanner overcame chronic pain and a fibromyalgia diagnosis by learning his symptoms were occurring due to learned brain pathways and nervous system dysregulation. Post-healing, Tanner and Anne have dedicated their lives to developing effective treatment and education for neuroplastic pain and symptoms. Listen and learn how to assess your own chronic pain and symptoms, gain tools to retrain the brain and nervous system, and make gradual changes in your life and health!

The Mind-Body Couple podcast is owned by Pain Psychotherapy Canada Inc. This podcast is produced by Alex Klassen, who is one of the wonderful therapists at our agency in Calgary, Alberta. https://www.painpsychotherapy.ca/

Tanner, Anne, and Alex also run the MBody Community, which is an in-depth online course that provides step-by-step guidance for assessing, treating, and resolving mind-body pain and symptoms. https://www.mbodycommunity.com

Also check out Tanner's YouTube channel for more free education and practices: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fl6WaFHnh4ponuexaMbFQ

And follow us for daily education posts on Instagram: @painpsychotherapy

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