Bowel changes

[Worrywart123]

Hi all,

New to the community, but not to hypochondria. Anyone notice bowel symptoms when extra stressed and anxious? Lately my bowels seem a little thinner than normal and I don’t always feel like I am completely emptied. Appetite not wonderful either. Could this be anxiety related or the sign of something horrific? I should mention that there’s been a lot of stressful things going on lately in my life. I plan to make an appointment with the doctor but wondering if anyone’s experienced anything similar.

Thanks.

 

[adamden]

Hi Worrywart, welcome to the forum first of all. Happy to have you here.
Anxiety can cause changes in your bowels and how they function. Because the gastrointestinal system is the most sensitive system in our body, it is the system that is most affected by anxiety and stress.
You can always go to the doctor to check and make sure that it is indeed caused by anxiety, but do it just for the purpose of putting your mind at ease. If they believe that it is caused by anxiety, then work on addressing your anxiety for your own good. Are you currently in any sort of therapy for your anxiety?
Hope you can find some comfort in this post

 

[Worrywart123]

Hi Worrywart, welcome to the forum first of all. Happy to have you here.
Anxiety can cause changes in your bowels and how they function. Because the gastrointestinal system is the most sensitive system in our body, it is the system that is most affected by anxiety and stress.
You can always go to the doctor to check and make sure that it is indeed caused by anxiety, but do it just for the purpose of putting your mind at ease. If they believe that it is caused by anxiety, then work on addressing your anxiety for your own good. Are you currently in any sort of therapy for your anxiety?
Hope you can find some comfort in this post

Thanks, adamden. Your words really help, I appreciate it. As I’m sure many here can relate to, I am a black and white person and am very uncomfortable living in the gray. I’m always seeking answers and explanations. I do need to work on this. I’m not currently in therapy but have been off and on for years. Might be time to start up again. Thanks again.

 

[Footballmadness2019]

Hello, I have recently been experiencing these symptoms too there quite common I hear. Best going to the doctors so they can examine you. I've had a stressful last few weeks and have had bowel changes. My doctor carried out a DRE of which isn't pleasant but it reassured me totally.

 

[TDS74]

I am currently experiencing loss of appetite, and same bowel issues as well. I believe it's from the anxiety, it messes up your belly pretty bad. I lost 10 pounds in a short period of time over stress and anxiety. Definitely speak to a medical professional

 

[Cocowhite5]

Stress make my bowel move so slow. I also have poor quality poops during this time. I eat yogurt, go for a run and drink plenty of water. Be near a bathroom when all of that break free tho. Haha

 

[Donnadoobie]

I had this a few months ago, was entirely focussed on any small change in normal feelings and habits. I had a bowelscope, which was part of the NHS screening programme, and it showed a healthy bowel, just a few small hemorrhoids. It has taken several weeks for the anxiety levels to reduce, still not quite right yet but getting there. Speak to your doctor to put your mind at rest.

 

[AnxiousBean]

You might have irritable bowel. I have that and I always have potty troubles when I am anxious! It's not pretty... And I analyze every shape, size, color and consistency when I go. It's nerve wracking and not helpful. My symptoms improve when I stop worrying about them!

 

[Future PA with HA]

I have the exact same problems! I notice that when I’m not sleeping or am extra stressed my bowels start to come out in all kinds of weird shapes and textures, which causes me to think I have colon cancer and that just adds to my anxiety and I spiral and of course things get worse. I think it’s very normal for this to happen to people as I’ve seen so many people raise the same complaints.

Tbh I’ve had bowel issues my whole life and I never really noticed them until a young patient came into the office I worked at and was diagnosed with rectal cancer (please keep in mind she had persistent rectal bleeding and no other symptoms! In fact most CC diagnoses happen in asymptomatic people or significant rectal bleeding, not really bowels). But with all this comforting knowledge I’m the same as you where I don’t like grey areas and want to know answers. But I can tell you that this seems to be a normal complaint.