Studies have long showed that autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women. They have accounted for nearly 80% of cases. Furthermore, women are also at a higher risk of anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders. While biological factors play a great role, emerging research has shown that behavioral and psychological influences, especially suppression of anger could also lead to a decline in women’s health. Conventionally, women have been told to not express their anger. The image they have been taught to be is that of the nurturer. One who has all the patience in life, and cannot get triggered. Those who can express their angers are often termed “hard to deal with”. Anger is also perceived as an undesirable emotion and so women are conditioned to prioritize harmony and caregiving over self-expression. This cultural expectation can lead to emotional repression, where unprocessed feelings remain bottled up, potentially manifesting as physical illness over time.What Is The Science Behind Emotional Repression and Health?The idea that suppressed emotions can impact physical well-being is not new. In the late 1980s, psychological research identified a pattern known as “self-silencing,” where individuals suppress their needs, avoid conflict, and internalize distress. More recent studies have linked emotional suppression, particularly in women, to increased risks of depression and chronic illness.One study found that women who frequently suppressed their anger had a 70% higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart disease. Chronic stress from emotional suppression can trigger prolonged activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, disrupting immune function and increasing inflammation—both of which have been linked to autoimmune disorders such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.ALSO READ: Women's Day 2025: Why Do We Know So Little About Women's Health?Is There An Impact On The Immune System?Emotions are biologically mediated through brain activity, hormonal responses, and nervous system regulation. When anger or other intense emotions are suppressed, the body activates higher-order brain regions while simultaneously reducing activity in emotional-processing centers like the amygdala. This process leads to increased cortisol secretion, the body’s primary stress hormone.While cortisol plays a role in regulating stress responses, prolonged elevation due to chronic emotional suppression can impair immune function. High cortisol levels can suppress the immune response, making individuals more vulnerable to infections and illnesses, or overactivate the immune system, contributing to chronic inflammation—a hallmark of autoimmune diseases.Women and the Burden of SuppressionSocietal expectations regarding women’s emotional expression can exacerbate these health risks. From an early age, women are taught to prioritize politeness and caregiving while avoiding conflict or expressions of anger. This conditioning makes it difficult for many to recognize and process their emotions in a healthy way, increasing the likelihood of internalized distress.Emotional suppression does not only impact mental well-being but also influences physical symptoms such as chronic fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, and digestive issues. Research in psychoneuroimmunology—a field that studies the link between psychological processes and immune function—suggests that unresolved emotional stress can trigger or worsen chronic conditions, including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and thyroid disorders.