Thanks to everyone for their responses.

I must say that I am 100% certain that stress contributed to the development of my RSD. Perhaps it isn't so in everyone, but it is in me. That doesn't mean that it is psychosomatic or that I am imagining it, but it does mean that stress predisposed me to this, as probably did many things.

I was in a job that had unbearable stress when I began getting initial symptoms of RSD. I was enraged and exhausted all the time though didn't resign since there were redeeming things about my job (mainly the kids - I am a teacher). Finally, I did resign due to my health issues, but I believe many months before that my job was going to cause my health to suffer.. and it did.

I know my nervous system was in overdrive with the rage I was feeling constantly. I also have another autonomic nervous system dysfunction and my health has probably been compromised due to radiation/cancer. I'm sure there are many contributing factors for me.