It keeps us up at night, makes us feel drained and affects our relationships with friends and family.

In fact, stress can actually lead to a fever.

Heres what you better know about psychogenic fever.

girl sitting on the sofa at home with her hand on her forehead

Thai Liang Lim / E+ / Getty

This is just one of many ways that your mental and physical health can interact.

One study looked at the age distribution and gender differences of psychogenic fever in Japan.

It showed that the highest number of cases occurred for 13-year-olds.

Anxiety,trauma, and emotional distress can all contribute to the onset of psychogenic fever episodes.

What’s the Difference Between Psychogenic Fever and Regular Fevers?

Fever usually is related to an inflammatory process in the body regulated by the immune system.

The main differentiator will be the presence of an inflammatory process in the body that is causing the fever.

Lastly, Dr. Kogan shared that common anti-inflammatory drugs will generally help to reduce most fevers.

How Does Stress Cause a Fever?

Dr. Kogan explained that it isnt fully understood how stress leads to psychogenic fever.

How Do You Get Rid of Psychogenic Fever?

Its difficult to know how long a psychogenic fever will last.

Some people will experience a high fever of up to 105.8F (41C) after a stressful event.

Upon returning home, her fever would disappear.

She had no signs of inflammation.

After she changed schools, her psychogenic fever went away.

Adopt Coping Strategies and Self-Care Practices

Miller shared its essential to address underlying psychological stressors andpractice self-compassion.

Use a Holistic Approach

Our mind and body are intimately connected.

Treating our minds well can create a positive impact on our bodies and vice versa.

Oka T, Oka K.Age and gender differences of psychogenic fever: a review of the Japanese literature.Biopsychosoc Med.

Kaneda Y, Tsuji S, Oka T.Age distribution and gender differences in psychogenic fever patients.BioPsychoSocial Medicine.

2009;3(1):6.

Oka T.Psychogenic fever: how psychological stress affects body temperature in the clinical population.Temperature (Austin).

2015;2(3):368378.