You might notice that your body temperature goes up fast and without warning, and there isn’t always a clear reason. In this case, it’s known as psychogenic fever. As a result of emotional distress, anxiety, or depression, psychogenic fever may arise. If not recognized, these factors may trigger physical symptoms, so it is necessary to handle them as early as possible.
It is important to see a professional for help with both your emotional and physical health. In this article, we’ll discuss the main signs of psychogenic fever, ways to control temperature changes caused by stress, and the possible treatments to make you feel better.
What is Psychogenic Fever?
Psychogenic fever is caused by emotional stress instead of due to physical disease such as infection. It’s when a person is stressed, anxious, or emotionally overwhelmed, and their body says, ‘Hey, let’s just lift the temperature.’ The problem is that your medical tests don’t normally detect anything because this isn’t a bacteria or virus infection. Common in people under high mental pressure, long-term anxiety, stress, or emotional trauma.
Psychogenic fevers are different since they may shoot quickly up and down, and emotional stress may cause them to become worse. At first, doctors usually diagnose this disease after ruling out all other physical causes. Treatment is usually aimed at controlling stress with a combination of relaxation techniques and even medication for anxiety or depression.
Symptoms Of Psychogenic Fever
Here are the symptoms of psychogenic fever:
- Fever that can come and go, linked to stress levels
- Rising body temperature is associated with emotional distress.
- Feeling or experiencing fatigue or being tired.
- A headache or body aches without a clear cause
- Heartbeats that are faster than usual (palpitations)
- Anxious or nervous during fever episodes
- Lab tests and physical exams look normal.
- Symptoms relieved with stress reduction or emotional support
Psychogenic Fever in Males
When a man gets a fever but has no illness, like the flu, it’s called psychogenic fever in males. If someone feels very worried or sad or under pressure from work or in their private life. Medical tests will very rarely show infection, even though the body feels hot. If the person is feeling stressed the fever may usually start and go away if they feel relaxed again.
People with psychogenic fever may also be tired, sweat lots, run a fast heart rate, or get headaches. Some men have a tough time talking about stress or emotions, which is why they may not know that these feelings are what’s causing the fever. Helping emotional health can stop the fever from coming back.
How Long Does Psychogenic Fever Last?
Psychogenic fever is a type of fever caused not by infection or as the accompaniment of a physical illness but by emotional stress or psychological factors. It can last for as long as the person requires and for as long as a particular situation does. Some people might have a short bout they go through in a matter of hours or days, often if the stress is only temporary. For some people, the emotional stress causing them the problem can be experienced on and off for weeks or even longer.
Treating the underlying cause of the mental health problem, which is what usually causes psychogenic fever, is the key to reducing or even stopping the fever. Sometimes, it is treated with therapy, stress management techniques, or medication. Treatment for emotional stress usually also treats the fever. If, however, someone gets these fevers repeatedly, it’s worth bringing it up with a mental health professional or physician.
How To Deal with Psychogenic Fever?
1. Medication Management
Controlling psychogenic fever mainly depends on lowering the patient’s stress. Slow breathing, meditation, and learning to relax your muscles one group at a time lower your stress and make you feel calmer. They help calm your body which could reduce the fever. Over time, regularly doing these may keep further events from happening. Short, daily sittings help a great deal.
2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
If you eat healthily, are physically active and sleep right, it will lower your body’s stress levels. Avoid anything that can worsen your stress or anxiety, including caffeine and alcohol. Maintaining balance in your body can be done by staying hydrated and keeping to a routine. There is a strong relationship between physical health and mental health. Making small daily changes can result in important results after some time.
3.Monitor and Record Symptoms
Notice when your fever is there, for how long it lasts, and what you have been doing. This allows you and your doctor or therapist to spot what makes you feel a particular way. For instance, with a simple journal, you might learn more about your feelings and body. It also makes you feel like you have more control over your life. Telling a professional about your record can improve your chosen treatments.
4.Stay in Touch with Healthcare Providers
It’s important to make sure the fever is caused by stress and not by an actual physical illness. Your doctor will look for other reasons and make certain you’re getting the appropriate treatment. A mental health provider may help in planning the complete treatment. Sometimes, treatment with medicine may help with anxiety or depression. Seeing your counselor every few weeks helps you heal and decreases stress.
How To Get Rid of Psychogenic Fever?
Here are some effective ways to get rid of psychogenic fever:
- Deep breathing, meditating, or doing yoga are great ways to calm your body.
- List your emotions in a journal or spend time understanding what you feel to manage your triggers.
- Talk to a therapist if your stress or anxiety is causing problems in your life.
- Keep your body and mind healthy by making sure you sleep well, eat the right foods, and workout regularly.
- Keep in mind to stay away from caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, as they will only make your symptoms of stress worse.
- Record your signs and symptoms in a journal to find out what sets them off.
- Visit your doctor to rule out medical reasons for your rejection and keep an eye on how you feel.
- Make sure to use stress management tools daily to help keep the fever from returning.
Psychogenic Fever Treatment
Medication Management
SSRIs, a type of antidepressant, can lower mood-related anxiety, which in turn helps lower fevers brought on by stress. Benzodiazepines are sometimes prescribed for a short time to speed up relief from acute anxiety. They are intended to control the brain’s chemicals, which in turn keeps moods steady. Unlike psychiatric drugs, these medicines help manage the physical signs of stress, such as a fast heart and increased body temperature. They work well when psychological stress leads to physical effects that are easy to spot.
Lifestyle Modifications
Exercise, meditation and keeping the same sleep schedule every night help reduce your body’s response to stress. Physical activity helps to increase endorphins and supports our emotional health, and having good sleep habits strengthens our ability to manage stress. Using these methods regularly can help lessen both the number and strength of psychogenic fever attacks.
Monitoring and Support
Talking with a mental health expert regularly helps to adjust the patient’s treatment to their current needs. Following up helps keep an eye on your progress, see if your medicines are helping, and quickly change treatments if you need them. Regular assistance enables members to share their problems and get useful suggestions. By collaborating closely, therapists and the client build a strong working relationship and increase the chances of successful treatment.
Closing Note
At MAVA Behavioral Health, we treat psychogenic fever with compassion and results. Our providers do a thorough psychiatric evaluation and personalized medication management. We identify the underlying psychological stressors causing the fever and treat anxiety and depression with antidepressants or anxiolytics. In some cases, we use beta blockers to control physical symptoms like rapid heart rate and temperature. We combine medication with lifestyle guidance and regular follow-ups to get the best results. We want to help you achieve long-term stability, reduce stress-related symptoms, and overall mental and physical well-being in a safe environment. So, book an appointment with us at MAVA Behavioral Health to get better treatment for mental issues.
Can anxiety lead to a fever?
Sometimes, anxiety increases your body’s temperature, which is known as psychogenic fever. The body tries to regulate temperature by activating its fight-or-flight response when you are stressed emotionally. Though not the result of infection, it can still feel very real and deserves attention.
Is it safe to treat that type of fever?
Though psychogenic fever is harmless to health, it points to hidden emotional issues that ought to be cared for. It often interferes with everyday living and can look like other illnesses, causing people to become anxious unwarrantedly. Seeing a professional therapist is very important for permanent improvement of your feelings.
Can too much stress cause me to have a fever?
In some cases, intense stress may trigger a fever without there being an underlying infection. Emotional distress causes the nervous system to raise the body’s internal temperature. Being aware of the link helps you manage your symptoms better.
Why can I not get my fever to go away?
If there is no medical issue for a consistently high fever, it could be caused by the mind. When you go through emotional issues or anxiety or don’t work through previous challenges, your body may stay tense. Your doctor must perform tests to find the cause and prescribe the necessary treatment.
