What are the effect of stress on rhumatoid arthritis?

As we do not yet understand the cause for RA it is difficult to make an entirely definitive comment on the effect of stress on RA. Any theory's on this are purely anecdotal. However having suffered from this disease myself for many years, I would suggest that there is a definite connection between The severity of the symptoms of RA flaring up and stress. Getting into stressful situations, arguments, or having worrisome issues festering in the back ground should be avoided.