How Specifically Does Anxiety Affect Stomach?

[Kenny11]

Hi, I'm struggling through some fairly severe ongoing stomach issues that are initially triggered by a fairly specific, intense anxious event. Initially, I awaken with heart racing and/or a 'flushing' feeling around my heart, then it goes straight to my stomach where it immediately feels like a burning sensation, then severe pain and nausea.

Unfortunately, even after the anxious event/thoughts are removed, the stomach issues continue on for some time. This latest episode has lasted over 2 months. The last episode I had was in 2002 and lasted over 6 months.

When I'm not going through an 'episode', typical anxieties/fears may creep up on me, but none cause any sort of ongoing physical symptoms as these do. I don't suffer from panic attacks or most of the symptoms of general anxiety disorder.

- So to help me diagnose what is happening with my stomach, I'm curious to know exactly what is happening to the stomach during an extreme episode of anxiety?

- Some process is causing my stomach to become severely inflamed. Is there a scientific explanation?

- Anyone have severe, ongoing stomach issues resulting from an initial bout with anxiety?

Thanks. I understand a bit about adrenalin and how it affects the heart in this situation, but topics about stomach always seem more vague.

[Cranberrykin]

I have these very same questions. I have had stomach issues on and off for like the last 5 years apparently due to anxiety. Just in the last 6 months my stomach issues got worse and they include nausea, upset stomach and tightness for about two to three months then it went away, then it came back just in the last couple weeks. Even though I don't feel particularly anxious. I have the same questions if there is a certain type of doctor that I need to see to find out the answers I would love to know what kind of doctor. I have had a colonoscopy and endoscopy all of which were normal. As you can tell I am very frustrated.  In 2009 I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder I see a psychiatrist who would just rather prescribe a pill but the anti anxiety pills that I've tried don't always help my stomach. Before 2009 I never had these sort of stomach issues as a symptom of anxiety. The only time I would ever be sick to my stomach or have an upset stomach would be if I had the stomach flu.

[Godblessusall]

Wow a plesure to find such wisdom. I respect you already.
Please tell me your coping strategies .
And your symptoms ?
Many thanks.

[lizsmith1881]

i have been having the same problem now for 2 months, i have been put on ativan 1mg twice a day.did you ever get free of your stomach anxities

[georgefours]

Yes, I have had stomach problems associated with anxiety followed by panic attacks. It usually always starts when an event such as a painful injection or watching an unpleasant event (a bloody surgical operation, say)when a feeling of nausea and an unwell feeling of panic takes over. Then progresses to dizziness and fainting. I am on anxiety medication which I am going to stop, I think it's more trouble than anything. I have been taking Nexium for months now after having been tested with stomach inflammation. Since taking Nexium, I have not been having upset pain in my stomach as I did nearly every day. I am feeling better.
George, Melbourne, Australia

[misty_13]

I have a few tips which have helped me to overcome anxiety and panic. Breathing in for 3, hold for 3 and exhale for 5, saying 1 2 3 4 5 relax, this helps regulate breathing, really does help. Also chewing minty gum, the taste seems to help settle stomach and is a distraction if having negative thoughts,  also splash face with cold water, if this not possible cold water across eye brows seems to freshen face and again a distraction.  Try to accept if you are having anxiety attack, breathe steadily and feelings will stop, imagine nice thought s, places, visualization of feeling happy. Really does work. Ive had years on and off feeling anxious but these tips do work, worth a try.

[Parkerjoanne]

I appreciate your information. I have an ache in my gut like I did 100 sit ups and it is anxiety. I took celexa for years and all of a sudden 3 months prior my body started rejecting my medications like celexa, nefazone, imprimine, no matter what anti-depressant I tried I had devastating side effects. So now Iam down to ativan and xanex and I fear I will get addicted. I have no other choice after 61 years of being alive I still have anxiety and panic  and a terrible pain in my gut.