Anxiety can cause a lot of symptoms related to our digestive system.
The one I suffered from the most was nausea. It was terrible. I couldn’t go anywhere, eat anything, do anything because the constant feeling that I would throw up at any moment. It was exhausting. Since I was afraid to eat, I lost a lot of weight and was always tired. I basically lived on water and smoothies.
Though nausea was the most inconvenient and bothersome symptom, constipation was the most intense one. My constipation led to hemorrhoid which caused me to bleed and have bloody bowel movement. This scared the crap out of me. I drove myself to the ER and got referred to see a specialist who, of course, told me there’s nothing to worry about and just start eating more fiber along with drinking more water.
If only we anxiety sufferers listen and follow our doctors’ orders. Well, I didn’t. I believed I had colon or stomach cancer (thanks to Dr. Google). I insisted that my specialist order me a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Against his judgment, he did what I asked. After 2 procedures and a mountain of medical bills, everything came back normal.
This can’t be stress related. Something is wrong with my digestive system.
I had trapped gas, bloating, heartburn, indigestion which sometime led to chest pain and difficulty breathing. The vicious cycle of more stress more symptoms, more symptoms more stress caused me to become so skinny and looked like a zombie. It was just hell.
When we are in fight or flight mode, our body directs blood to our vital organs and muscles to prepare us for battles and our digestive system is not one of them. The lack of blood being distributed slows down our digestion. This can lead to the feeling of nausea, excessive gas, knotty, heavy tummy and constipation. My biggest mistake was not to accept the fact that everything that was happening to my digestive system is anxiety related. I kept searching for ways to make me feel better. But instead of getting better, I fell deeper into my own hole.
As I learned and understood more about anxiety, I started to feel better. I started to eat more, exercise more. All my digestive issues went away one after another. I am now in the best shape of my life.
Be patient with yourself. I know these symptoms can be very intense and debilitating. But if you are checked out by your doctors and are told that you have anxiety, you have to gather all your strength and stop the fight. Just accept it, let your body and mind heal on its own. Use A.C.E.R. as a reminder and tool to help you reach your goal.