IBS linked to anxiety?

It may sounds silly and maybe this is not the right place to post this but I really need some advice.

I'm a 19 y/o student and for almost half a year I've been dealing with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Since then, I've seen many doctors and done everything I could in order to decrease the impact of it but the fact that this syndrome is chronic - and that I may not be able to ever treat it - upsets me.

The analyzes say everything is fine with my body. Absolutely everything. So why do I feel so sick all the time?

What I know for sure: it gets worse when something bothers me.

Example: A week ago I was pretty depressed. Many things changed quickly and I felt like I lost control and wasn't able to do something in order to improve the situation. I would cry and be sad, barely eat, be aggressive with everyone and take personally every little thing others said about me. I managed to get over it but after two days, the symptoms of IBS started to upset me. I strongly believe they are somehow linked.

I visited the doctor - it was for the sixth time. The doctor keeps telling me that it's stress-based and advised me to change my way of thinking. Easy to say... Anyway, he gave me a strict diet and medication. At the beginnig, it worked pretty well but in time I started to get accustomed to the medication and now it doesn't have any effect which it's pretty frustrating.

The laxatives don't work, they only make me feel sick most of the time + I read somewhere that they are not good either, in time. I stopped taking them.

There is no suitable medication for me. I've lost weight because of the diet the syndrome requires and now I look unhealthy. I can't sleep even though I feel tired most of the time. I can say I'm pretty worried. Everyone knows and sees me as an anxious person who exaggerates the worries but this is my personality and it won't change overnight.

So do you think IBS may be linked to anxiety, worry, stress? I read on the internet that it may be - in fact, there's also something about depression, GAD... I'm really worried and I don't know what to do. Indeed, I have some issues but until yesterday I used to believe they were not part of the cause. Now I think they are the main problem.

Should I seek psychological help?

Don't you just love it when they tell you to change your way of thinking, looking at things, yada, yada yada. It's not that stinking easy. I do think it's tied to anxiety and depression also. I don't know how to fix it. I wish I could, but I believe you are exactly right.

Hello yellow: I don't really know about this. But, having struggled with high levels of generalized anxiety myself, I can imagine how anxiety & IBS could be related. So, from my perspective seeking psychological help may not be a bad idea. Good luck!

Hello. I have read online that IBS makes you more likely to have anxiety and/or depression. I just looked briefly over this link:
http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/stress-anxiety-ibs

And it says that about 60% of people with IBS have at least one psychiatric disorder. 60% of those people have GAD and 20% have depression. So this may be the case for you. I'm sorry you are suffering and the doctor isn't helping. I do suggest you try to find psychological help. Hope this helps .

Social anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, and panic attacks

Lexapro, 10 mg

Dear yelllow,

Oh my goodness - you know what? Right before coming here and seeing your post, I emailed my therapist about what I believe is at the core of my IBS - the fact that I've always believed I wasn't worthy to ever exist..

I've been going through HELL due to IBS. Lost my job a few years ago and all the misery that comes with that.. Tests have never showed anything physically wrong with me. I've tried meds and diet which helped a little but never long-term - as soon as I'm scared, worried, anxious.. my symptoms hit with awful force.

Trust your instincts! I always had a feeling my IBS was psychological in nature and my therapist agrees. I'm sure seeking help would not do you any harm. I hope with everything in me that you'll be able to find an understanding therapist who'll be able to help you. This disorder can seriously impact your quality of life, and we deserve all the help we can get! Hugs, and good luck!!!

It actually says in several journals, and right in the DSM-V itself that IBS can be linked ho depression and anxiety. I deal with anxiety myself, and my IBS symptoms get worse when my anxiety and depression get worse. You are absolutely correct, the two are correlated. Deal with your anxiety, and you'll dear with your IBS too. I'll come back and post some links for you when I get a chance.

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Without reading others replies, and based on what I've learned, anxiety very often triggers IBS. I suffered with IBS and self medicated with huge amounts of OTC meds and prescriptions. I can't remember the name of it but one of the scripts I was on also had something in it for anxiety. So yes it is related. I feel strongly for you. My IBS kept me from so many things in fear of getting sick and from the OTC med abuse, I'm more messed up! A lot of foods are a huge no no for IBS as well so you may want to look that up. Also when someone is nervous or anxious, it triggers a bacteria in the gut that upsets it more. That's just from my experience and what I do know.

I can relate to your struggles. I have a very similar problem. I have struggled with anxiety and depressive symptoms for several years and within the last 5-6 years developed IBS symptoms. REALLY bad ones. I won't go in to details, but it is incredibly problematic and greatly impacts my daily living. However, when I go to the doctor, my tests all come back fine. They say I am in GREAT health! It is very frustrating. They tell me I over-exaggerate my symptoms. Let me tell you -- my husband knows how bad it is.

I really truly believe that it is linked with stress and anxiety. However, I have noticed mine is also linked with my diet. I stopped eating/drinking dairy and my IBS symptoms have really decreased. I drink soy milk now as an alternative. I have also started taking a daily multi-vitamin as well as 5-HTP which is a mood supplement. Those have really helped my stress and anxiety as well as IBS symptoms. And this was after literal YEARS of no relief despite taking prescribed medications. So, I hope that you can find something that helps maintain your symptoms at least!

Hi yelllow, It is absolutely, without a doubt, a known medical fact that IBS and anxiety are linked. Oftentimes an ssri can help with both.

To all who posted, I extend my wishes of better health & a peaceful mindset.
YES, it is real for both men & woman.
Just like stress/anxiety is related to heart disease in men mostly.
I don't have any antidote for IBS but Yellow my suggestion would be to find another DR.
Therapy too.
Remember emotions/feelings have a hierarchy...
Anxiety, panic attacks are a reaction under fear.
The opposite of fear would be a state of calmness.
How to navigate your way from one to the other will be uniquely your way.
Have patience, be kind & allow yourself to be worthy of love & forgiveness.
Sleeping well & Eating well are so important
Hygiene is a set of practices performed for the preservation of health.
I don't sleep well & I have no appetite when I am down.
Hey, The first step is awareness, so now I have to eat because I've lost too much weight to such an unhealthy state. Some people over eat to cope neither is good.
Back to basic hygiene eat, sleep, showering, and some form of exercise.
Please do something nice for yourself.
H.