Panic Disorder Related Conditions Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Anxiety Disorders By Sheryl Ankrom, MS, LCPC linkedin Sheryl Ankrom is a clinical professional counselor and nationally certified clinical mental health counselor specializing in anxiety disorders. Learn about our editorial process Sheryl Ankrom, MS, LCPC Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on July 13, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on July 13, 2020 Print LaylaBird / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Anxiety-Related GI Symptoms When to See Your Doctor When to Seek Emergency Care Coping Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances commonly include symptoms of stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. While there are plenty of possible causes of GI issues, when no medical explanation is found, they are often termed “functional GI symptoms.” Many studies have shown a correlation between anxiety, depression, and functional GI symptoms. Generally, study results have demonstrated that people who have at least one GI symptom are more likely to have an anxiety disorder or depression than those without any GI symptoms. Unexplained physical complaints as a whole—including fatigue, headache, stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, musculoskeletal pains—were more commonly reported in individuals with an anxiety disorder and/or depression. Common Anxiety-Related GI Symptoms Common GI symptoms that have been associated with anxiety disorders include: ConstipationDiarrheaIncreased hungerIndigestionLoss of appetiteNauseaStomach cramps In addition to these general symptoms, some gastrointestinal conditions—such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease—have also been linked to anxiety disorders. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes symptoms including pain, bloating, cramping, and constipation. While the condition is not life-threatening, it is chronic and can have a serious impact on a person's quality of life. Symptoms of IBS can include: Bloated or swollen abdomenDiarrhea, constipation, or a combination of bothFlatulence (gas)Stomach painWhitish mucus in the stool People who have IBS are also often diagnosed with mood and anxiety disorders. The Link Between IBS and Anxiety Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive condition in which people experience acid reflux, which is when stomach acid enters the esophagus and leads to symptoms such as heartburn and trouble swallowing. Common symptoms of GERD include: Bad breathChest painDifficulty swallowingHoarseness of the voice, especially upon wakingMild pain or stuck in throat type sensationsPersistent dry cough Some research suggests that people who have GERD are also more likely to experience anxiety. While the exact reasons for this connection are not entirely understood, researchers suggest that high anxiety and stress levels may increase stomach acid and muscle tension that can contribute to symptoms of GERD. When to See Your Doctor You should consult with your family doctor if you are experiencing unexplained mild to moderate gastrointestinal disturbances for more than a few days, or if your symptoms stop and then return. Your family doctor may order tests or refer you to a specialist to rule out any serious medical problem that may be causing your symptoms. If it is found that you have functional GI symptoms related to anxiety, there are many effective treatments available—both for your GI concerns and the underlying anxiety. Prescribed medications along with psychotherapy can help you to reduce your feelings of anxiety and develop healthy ways to cope with stress. Learning to manage your anxiety while treating your GI symptoms can be the most beneficial in helping you deal with both issues. Do You Have Normal Anxiety or an Anxiety Disorder? When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Care Whether or not you believe your GI symptoms are anxiety-related, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible if your symptoms occur with any of the following: Blood in the stoolFeeling bloated or full after eating very littleHaving a bowel movement that is black, tarry, and foul-smellingPersistent, low-grade feverUnexplained weight loss Seek Immediate Care Seek immediate medical care if you have:Chest, neck, shoulder or jaw painDisorientation or confusionExtreme abdominal painExtreme diarrhea lasting more than one dayHigh feverInability to have a bowel movementModerate to severe rectal bleedingRapid or significantly decreased heart rateVomiting blood (if the vomited matter looks like ground coffee, this may indicate blood) Coping There are also some things that you can do to help cope with symptoms of anxiety and related GI problems. These include: Avoid excessive caffeine: Not only can caffeine increase feelings of anxiety, but many caffeine-containing products can also lead to gastrointestinal upset.Eat healthily: Focusing on a gut-friendly diet may help calms symptoms of gastrointestinal upset. Make sure that you are eating fiber-rich foods and try adding foods containing probiotics to your diet (such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha). Some animal studies have suggested that probiotics may have anxiety-reducing effects, though more research is needed to understand their impact on human mental health.Practice stress management techniques: Stress is a normal part of life, so developing good coping skills is important. Relaxation techniques that can help include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation. If you or a loved one are struggling with [condition name], contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. How You Can Learn to Manage Your Anxiety Now Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Hartono JL, Mahadeva S, Goh KL. 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