Did My IBS Come First or My Anxiety?

[flawlesssage]

Hey! I just want to learn more about anxiety. I have this question that has been going around in my mind forever. I was diagnosed with IBS and anxiety around the same time. At first, we thought that I didn't have IBS at all, and it was just anxiety, but even when my anxiety is at an all time low, I will still get flare ups. So I was just wondering, did my anxiety cause my IBS or did my IBS cause my anxiety. I remember that my anxiety around food and eating started a few months after I got really sick at my friends house, but at the time I didn't have anxiety. Then all of a sudden when I started at my new school (which definitely contributed to the stomach aches as well), I would get stomach aches everyday. Ever since then, it has gotten worse and worse. Now if I eat in public or in front of my friends, I will get a panic attack.

[Jeff1943]

It is said that the stomach is the organ in the body most sympathetic to anxiety. So if your IBS started about the same time I'd say it's certain your IBS is caused by your anxiety disorder. After all, who can tell the exact time and day that their high anxiety started?

Many years ago I was diagnosed with IBS but it was a one-off caused by my grieving for a good friend who died young and unexpectedly. Grief is one of many things that can trigger anxiety. I have never had a repetition of it since.

Just because you feel your anxiety levels are low doesn't mean that your nervous system is no longer over sensitised. You may feel calm but the high anxiety is still there waiting to make itself known.

Only when the nervous system is cured of over sensitivity does it cease to cause IBS and other symptoms of health anxiety.

[lillyofthevalley37]

Hi are you on any medication ?

I developed IBS after pregnancy I found relief by lying on my side / tummy where all the gurgling seem to be - on the left side it gave relief much like putting a baby on its tummy to relieve colic

[flawlesssage in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

Hi! Currently I am on medication for my anxiety. I take 20ml of Prozac, and I will definitely try lying on my side!!! Thank you

[Sankissjuice]

Yes our gut health is directly linked to mental health. Gut is our second brain. I also had many years of IBS symptoms before finally succumbing to depression and anxiety. They are very much related. That is why we have to watch out diet. I have not been very good at watching my diet but I'm still trying...avoid greasy, spicy food, avoid deep fried food, avoid too much sugars, best to maintain mostly vegetarian diet, if possible. That's the advice I received from many complementary health practitioners.

[Hidden]

I think with me that it was anxiety that came first x