IBS and Anxiety Disorders - a link?
#1003 - 02/17/03 05:01 PM
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Does anyone else out there have an anxiety disorder as well as IBS? I know we all suffer from anxiety because of IBS, but I just found out I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and have had it for over 20 years. I was recently put on Paxil and my IBS improved once my anxiety level improved. Anyone else out there? I've been hesitant to post this as I am just coming to terms with it all, and am a little shy about it.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Hello Hansolo,
I haven't been to a MD for that because I think the doctor would tell me the same thing, and because of my parent's mental health history, I know it is a possibility. Just to give you some background, my mom is currently suffering a 2nd or 3rd breakdown, manic depressive with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & an alcoholic, which of course adds stress and anxiety. My dad has been diagnosed with multiple personalities, although he seems to have grown out of that when he recovered from being an alcoholic. So, I have my own tendencies to being OCD, for instance, I wash my hands numerous times a day, to the point that every winter, like now, the outsides of my hands crack and bleed. My husband has nicknamed me "Cootie Girl" because I don't like to get my hands dirty. But I just can't get myself to go the the MD for a diagnosis, probably for the same reasons you have about your post. I also think I have social anxiety, and have to make myself go places where I have to interact with people, like Christmas or Church, which I think is a result of IBS (fear of having an attack) So I agree with anxiety and IBS being related as well as other influences. How is your pregnancy going? Do you know if it is a boy or girl?
Good luck with everything
SharShar
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Who knew life was possible with out chocolate?!!
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I too have anxiety problems, and OCD, and maybe a touch of social problems. I wash my hands much too often, and I have to make myself interact in a social setting. I haven't been social at all in about 12 weeks. I know that my anxiety and OCD are related to my IBS somehow. It seems when my IBS is bad, my anxiety and OCD compound the situation and my life is terrible. I am finally getting back on top of my IBS, so I am hoping that the anxiety and OCD will fade out. I keep my fingers crossed.
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SLicK 
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I have recently been diagnosed with IBS and an anxiety and panic disorder, so i have definately found a link between the two. i have been sent to a psychologist but i have only seen him three times, hopefully this will work out for me as i am reluctant to try the anti-depressants the medicals keep pushing me to try?!
Hope it is some comfort to know you are not alone in this association between IBS and anxiety.
Keep in touch,
Kathryn
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Thanks for your response. The pregnancy is going fine, with a few bumps on the way. My son got a stomach virus which I caught - a terror for my OCD. I am terrified of germs, viruses, etc. I had a threatened miscarriage last week on top of it all, but everything is now fine. As for your fear of going to the Doc, I understand. Took me 20 years to get there. OCDers are famous for hiding it all extremely well. A good time to go to the Doc is if you feel like it's taking over your life - especially when compounded with IBS. Docs can help - through meds or therapy. I took the meds route because I had to. I wouldn't leave the house. Take care and let me know how you're doing. Do you feel comfortable enough with your Doc to confide in him/her?
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Hansolo,
I am glad to hear everything is going well for you and your family now, hopefully the scary part is over? I will be praying...
I can relate to your fear of germs, I worked in a retail pharmacy for 7 years, and you come in contact with some very non-courteous people. Like, for instance, they would sneeze, wipe their nose with their finger and then pick up YOUR pen to sign their check. I say keep it, enjoy the pen.....But anyway, I think that if I confide in my doctor, they will suggest medication, (another one of my fears, ironic, I know, being that I work in pharmacy) I live in a rural area where we don't have the cutting edge of mind related doctors. I don't think it is adversely affecting my life yet, and I purposely schedule events in such a way that I can't back out of because of fear. I have some calming techniques that work for me, but I have to physically pull myself aside and repeat them to myself in really bad situations. Anyway, enough rambling, keep me posted on how things are going, I have an appointment with my ob/gyn/midwife on March 6th to get everything in line for starting a family this summer. I will keep you posted onn how that goes.
Wishing you well,
SharShar
P.s. How old is your son and what is his name?(if that is not too personal)
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Who knew life was possible with out chocolate?!!
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Meds are not the only route. There is something called Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. I live in boony-land too, and am waiting to get into a specialist. You may want to talk to your doc about this - especially with IBS and thinking of getting pregnant - my symptoms went out of control after my son was born. (His name is Liam and he's 17 months). It triggered worse IBS and depression (something I'd never had in my life before). Anyway, the meds, you can research them, are "Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors" which basically slows down the seratonin to certain parts of the brain that cause anxiety. I have had good results with them. I, too, used to do the calming "rituals" of repeating phrases. Sweetie - that's another symptom. I don't mean to scare you, but it's a coping mechanism that we use. I have some good books I can recommend it may answer some of your questions. I'll dig them out today, if you like. Thanks for your prayers, and yes, I hope the worst is over.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Thanks HanSolo, for your words of encouragement. I will think about bringing this up at my visit w/ the ob/gyn/midwife. Maybe all I need is to hear success stories from people who have been there/done that. I don't think it helps that I work in pharmacy and am familliar with all the SSRI medications out there, I think I have too much knowledge on the subject. But I will think about it, and I would be interested in the names of the books if it isn't too much trouble. Thanks again.
SharShar
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Who knew life was possible with out chocolate?!!
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Sorry it took a while. Here are the books I have:
Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals by Ian Osborn
Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior by Jeffrey M. Schwartz
The OCD Workbook - Your Guide to Breaking Free from OCD - Bruce M. Hyman, Cherry Pedrick.
Also try these websites - they have tons of recommended books and links:
www.ocdhope.com (Bruce M. Hyman's site)
www.ocdfoundation.org
Take care and let me know how you're doing.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Thanks, I will check these out and let you know how I am!
SharShar
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Who knew life was possible with out chocolate?!!
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