My name is Valerie and I am living with anxiety. It started about five weeks ago. I am 22 years old and graduating college in a few weeks. I just became overwhelmed with school, finding a job, finances, where I wanted to live when I graduate and other things. I was convince...
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Anxiety and a physcial connection...
Kimberly Tyler
Monday, December 03, 2007 at 02:29 PM
Dear Valerie,
Anxiety can wreak havoc on one's digestive system. I know that when my anxiety is beyond the pale, the first thing to go is my digestive system. Like you, I am nauseous, will vomit on occasion, and not have full control of my digestive processes. Once the anxiety comes down, all these symptoms and physical issues go away as well. (And I can drop the pounds fast when this happens... it is very unnerving on top of the anxiety I am already feeling!)
So, although a doctor may say there is "nothing physically wrong" actually there is: it's called anxiety and anxiety can throw the digestive system off-kilter. For how long, that is different for each person. Sometimes some of us have some of the symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and they show up first before a diagnosis of anxiety; sometimes the other way around. I am not saying you have IBS; all I am saying is that based on my experience and the experience of others, this type of physical reaction can and does occur with anxiety.
I do not know if the Prozac has had any affect thus far to alleviate some of your symptoms of anxiety, and how this is affecting your digestive system. (I actually saw a gastroenterologist for years due to my digestive issues, only to have them go away once the anxiety was under control. Nobody had explained the connection to me about anxiety and the digestive process.)
Please keep us updated.
Best,
Kimberly Tyler
reply
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anxiety help
kids2love
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 12:00 PM
dear valgal, My name is david scott. I posted earlier under Living with it. see my post, maybe it can help you. it will get better.
reply
Dear Valerie,
Anxiety can wreak havoc on one's digestive system. I know that when my anxiety is beyond the pale, the first thing to go is my digestive system. Like you, I am nauseous, will vomit on occasion, and not have full control of my digestive processes. Once the anxiety comes down, all these symptoms and physical issues go away as well. (And I can drop the pounds fast when this happens... it is very unnerving on top of the anxiety I am already feeling!)
So, although a doctor may say there is "nothing physically wrong" actually there is: it's called anxiety and anxiety can throw the digestive system off-kilter. For how long, that is different for each person. Sometimes some of us have some of the symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and they show up first before a diagnosis of anxiety; sometimes the other way around. I am not saying you have IBS; all I am saying is that based on my experience and the experience of others, this type of physical reaction can and does occur with anxiety.
I do not know if the Prozac has had any affect thus far to alleviate some of your symptoms of anxiety, and how this is affecting your digestive system. (I actually saw a gastroenterologist for years due to my digestive issues, only to have them go away once the anxiety was under control. Nobody had explained the connection to me about anxiety and the digestive process.)
Please keep us updated.
Best,
Kimberly Tyler
reply