Social Anxiety/Phobia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome/Spastic Colon?
Hi, there.
I have severe social anxiety/phobia, but only in crowded classrooms. Because my intestines/colon are uber-sensitive, I start having irritable bowel syndrome/spastic colon in classroom-settings, I’m sure because of the stress/anxiety I feel when I’m there.
Unfortunately, this feeling of pressure makes it seem as though I have to go to the bathroom… probably gives me gas… and makes my intestines make embarrassing noise which increase the anxiety. It’s a vicious cycle.
What preventative measures can I take? I don’t want to rely on medication. I want to find a way to stop the problem. The problem has nothing to do with being constipated either. If anything, it’s the opposite of that.
I’m not sure if the feeling of nervousness makes me feel like I have to go to the bathroom, or if feeling like I have to go to the bathroom makes me nervous. I’m not even sure why I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold it–I haven’t had an "accident" since I was a child!!!
Help, please???!!!
i have chrons disease. it has given me a great deal of anxiety regarding social settings with the bathroom stuff. what helps me is to do the majority of your eating after whatever it is you have to do thart day for you school. I am not in school but work so i know about being stuck and the vicous cycle. I sip water and eat sliced apple and oyster crackers or saltines then big dinner at night when I am home. takes away the belly noise, settles the stomach and wont make you sick. good luck!