When you consistently live in a way that’s not aligned with your authentic self, it creates chronic psychological stress, which can lead to both mental and physical health issues over time.
Mental Health Issues
- Anxiety & Panic Disorders
. Constantly monitoring how you come across, and suppressing your true feeling increases tension and fear.
. You may become hyper-alert to rejection which fuels the anxiety.
- Depression
. Living inauthentically can lead to a deep sense of emptiness, numbness, or lack of meaning.
. You may feel like you’ve lost yourself- or that your life is not your own.
- Low Self-Esteem & Identity Confusion
. Repeatedly acting in ways that conflict with your values can cause self-doubt and internal conflict.
. You may disconnect from who you are, making it hard to trust yourself.
- Burnout
. Especially common in work situations or relationships where you feel forced to mask your true needs, opinions, or limits.
. You become emotionally and physically exhausted because you are “Performing” all the time.
Physical Health Issues
- Chronic Stress
. Suppressing emotions or continuing to live in a way that does not align with your core values activates the body’s stress response.
. Over time this raises cortisol (the stress hormone), which can:
. Weaken the immune system
. Disrupt sleep
. Increase inflammation
. Raise Blood pressure
- Autoimmune Conditions & Inflammation
. Some studies suggest that chronic emotional suppression may contribute to autoimmune disorders or worsen them. This is especially relevant for people who are high in agreeableness or suppress anger.
- Somatic symptoms
. Physical symptoms (headaches, fatigue, stomach issues) caused or worsened by emotional distress.
When you are noticing these symptoms, it may be a signal that something in your life may not be aligned with your true self. I would welcome the opportunity to explore this with you.
