Stomach pain with anxiety

[dogmom88]

Does anyone else have stomach pain with anxiety? I’ve been feeling slight stomach discomfort and I do have health anxiety so of course I get nervous. When I’m preoccupied I don’t feel it as much and when I’m asleep I don’t feel a thing. I was also wondering if I’m tensing up without realizing it and that’s causing it. Just wanted to see if anyone else is going through the same thing.

[RedBird09]

Yes indeed it does. I'm bipolar and I have severe stomach problems. I stay sick to my stomach constantly also I have a spastic colon and IBS. I have dealt with these conditions for close to 20 years now and I wonder if I will ever be happy again. Sorry this isn't about me. Yes I can relate. I do hope that you feel better. Easier said than done tho.

[dom410]

I get that too. I just remind myself I have anxiety. one thing I also do and it helps Alot is I keep a food log. This helps me know I'm eatting well, shows me when I'm not. I've learned there is a few foods that make me feel not well.

Can you give this a try?

[Jeff1943]

The stomach is the organ of the body most sympathetic to anxiety, according to Doctor Claire Weekes. As you have health anxiety it seems highly likely that your stomach discomfort is driven by anxiety.

I have experienced health anxiety and on several occasions had mild stomach ache. One one occasion it was quite troublesome and I saw my GP who diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and gave me an appropriate medication. However it had no effect as I know I didn't have IBS: I knew that it was a grieving response to the early death of a good family friend.

It passed before long when I applied the four protocols of Claire Weekes' self-help method: Face - Accept - Float - Let time pass. In other words, don't stress or obsess about it, accept it for the time being, do not flood your nervous system with fear because there isn't anything to fear. It's nerves, nothing more.

I hope that with understanding and reassurance your stomach pains soon pass.

[dogmom88 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thanks for responding! I will definitely try the self-help method but since I have health anxiety I always assume the worst and it’s just so tiring at times. Your response did help so thank you!