Anxiety can cause a lot of extremely unusual symptoms. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of real medical conditions, which is why they can go unnoticed or contribute to further anxiety. Of course, because they are related to real medical conditions, you should always see a doctor. That is especially true if the symptom you’re struggling with comprises swollen lymph nodes.

Swollen lymph nodes are more commonly the result of medical conditions such as infections. There are also more serious conditions that may be related to swollen lymph nodes. Talk to a doctor if you’re concerned. But note that, in rare cases, anxiety may cause the feeling that you have swollen lymph nodes or swollen glands. For those with health anxiety, this sensation can be incredibly frightening.

Interestingly, it’s unclear if anxiety or stress actually causes swollen lymph nodes. What is clear, however, is that anxiety causes people to feel as though they have swollen lymph nodes, and this may lead to further anxiety about their overall health.

Does Anxiety Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes are among the most controversial symptoms of anxiety. It appears that anxiety can cause swollen lymph nodes, but the reason isn’t clear because there isn’t a medical connection between lymph nodes and stress.

The reality is that, in many cases it’s not that simple. Lymph nodes themselves cannot swell as a result of stress. Their swelling generally only occurs to fight off an infection. Yet there is no denying that some people with severe stress and anxiety report swollen lymph nodes. So what is happening?

Health Anxiety

Your lymph nodes often vary in size and shape. When you’re feeling anxious, it’s not uncommon for your lymph nodes to feel bigger than they really are. That’s because some types of anxiety can cause a feeling of over-sensitization — when you touch your lymph nodes, they feel bigger than they are.

Possible Mild Infection 

Stress also weakens the immune system. Your body is always fighting germs and bacteria. It’s possible that, because of stress, you are a bit more prone to mild infections and your body is fighting them off. These infections may not be dangerous or may not present with other symptoms.

Muscle Tension 

Anxiety and stress can also cause a considerable amount of muscle tension in your neck. You may feel like you have a lump in the throat, while another person may feel more pressure on the sides of the neck towards the lymph nodes. A common anxiety symptom is neck pressure, which you feel when you swallow. So it’s possible that your glands only feel swollen when, in reality, it’s your neck that is swollen.

Other Reasons

In addition, it is possible that your lymph nodes are swelling for reasons that are still unclear. Anxiety causes a lot of strange reactions in the body, and many people experience anxiety differently. While the neck is the most common place to find swollen lymph nodes in, they may also occur in areas such as the following:

• Armpits
• Abdomen
• Groin

It’s a bit less common for the swelling of these glands to be anxiety-related, but it’s still possible for the reasons listed above. Remember, only a medical professional can rule out other health conditions, and because swollen lymph nodes are linked to serious illnesses, it is important to always see a doctor if you are concerned. Doctors’ training allows them to identify swollen lymph nodes well. Yet, if your doctor has ruled out a medical condition, note that it is still possible for anxiety to cause sensations that indicate the lymph nodes are swollen.