Discussion Megathread: Diarrhea and Mental Health – A Deep Dive into Stress-Induced Symptoms

[L'absent]

Hi everyone!

Since this group is a space where many people face mental health issues, emotional struggles, and depression, I thought of starting this megathread about diarrhea and intestinal problems linked to stress, anxiety, or other psychological challenges.

In particular, conditions such as:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD),

Major depressive disorder,

Psychosomatic disorders,

Panic disorders,

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) influenced by emotional factors,


can significantly impact the digestive system, causing symptoms like chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, or other intestinal discomforts.

Additionally, I've often heard about the use of adult diapers in extreme contexts, such as during certain methods of suicide, and it makes me wonder if some people struggle with these gastrointestinal issues to such an extent that they severely affect their daily lives or even lead to tragic decisions.

Have you ever experienced diarrhea or stomach pain during periods of high stress or following particularly difficult events? If so, would you be willing to share:

How do your symptoms manifest?

What situations make them worse or better?

What is the color or consistency of your stools during these episodes (e.g., creamy, liquid, or in small pieces)?


Finally, have you found any strategies or remedies that help you manage these symptoms? (Diet changes, relaxation techniques, medications, etc.)

Thank you so much to anyone who wants to join the discussion and share their experience! I believe that sharing these experiences can help others dealing with similar symptoms feel less alone.

 

[divinemistress36]

When I was eating healthy I had less bloating and physically felt better , it didnt do anything for my depression though. Mental health issues very much effect the digestive system

 

[L'absent]

When I was eating healthy I had less bloating and physically felt better , it didnt do anything for my depression though. Mental health issues very much effect the digestive system

It's true, the connection between mental health and the digestive system is deep, especially through the gut-brain axis and the enteric nervous system. Eating healthy can improve physical well-being, but it doesn't always have an impact on depression, because mental suffering follows its own independent paths. It's frustrating to see the body feel better while the mind remains trapped in the same state. Psychological issues always find a way to manifest physically, especially through the digestive system, making everything even harder to manage.

 

[FullCircle]

Yep. Many embarrassing moments from anxiety related IBS. I was put on anxiety meds when I was 12 because of it. I didn't even know what it was at the time but my mom knew (she also had anxiety) and took me to our doctor.
Now, if I'm in any uncomfortable situation I hardly eat and take Imodium. Car rides, rough social situations, long walks. It sucks but it works.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I will usually get the runs if I have an upcoming interview or, business call to make or, course to attend etc. Fortunately, I've never been caught short while I'm out but, that morning, I'll be a complete mess.

Weirdly, it will go the other way if I need to stay somewhere new or, stay with people. Almost like I'll go into shock and, won't be able to go for a few days sometimes.

I'm pretty fortunate that it doesn't affect my daily life but I absolutely agree that stress f*cks up the digestive system.

I also have adult diapers ready for a CTB attempt (via SN most likely.) I want it to be as least messy as possible for the poor sods who have to clean up afterwards. I also want to lay down thick plastic sheeting.

 

[whitetaildeer]

i can't believe i didn't see this sooner. i think i may be qualified to give a meaningful perspective, but bear in mind i'm an ex-bulimic with a frequent habit of relapsing, so some of these health problems may be either a direct result of that, or they've been made more intense from struggling with bulimia for years.

i have ptsd, major depressive disorder, and though i have no diagnosis for anxiety or things of that nature, i frequently deal with paranoia (if it's worth anything, bipolar/schizophrenia/cluster b disorders run in my family.) though i honestly think my paranoia is just from ptsd.

i don't use adult diapers. incontinence isn't that bad but sometimes i'll end up having problems when i sneeze/cough. not fun.

Have you ever experienced diarrhea or stomach pain during periods of high stress or following particularly difficult events? If so, would you be willing to share: oh god, yes. always. not diarrhea, but the stomach pain, and it's so awful i'm always convinced i'm going to end up vomiting, despite never doing so. and i think that's a testament to how bad it is.

How do your symptoms manifest?: there's the searing pain from my stomach, but my nose is also affected. not the worst burning... but i've had bile come up/out of my nose. really, really nasty. i've also noticed i feel like i might have to use the bathroom during these times, but i never actually do. like some weird phantom turd?

What situations make them worse or better?: nothing, unfortunately. once the paranoia or panic sets in, so does the stomach pain. i haven't noticed anything get more or less intense; it's just the standard symptoms/crap i deal with when i'm nervous.

What is the color or consistency of your stools during these episodes (e.g., creamy, liquid, or in small pieces)?: either small pieces, or they straight up are the size of half of the toilet bowl. i've also noticed chunks of food in my poop (i've seen spaghetti noodles for ex). the color is the standard poop brown, but it'll sometimes be green (and no, i seldom eat green food; when i eat green food my poop has never been green.)

Finally, have you found any strategies or remedies that help you manage these symptoms? (Diet changes, relaxation techniques, medications, etc.): green noise is somehow immensely helpful. this is a recommendation i've made to some friends on here; it helps clear your mind and it does a stellar job at it. it won't stop your stomach pain, but it can help you with your emotions if you catch yourself ahead of time before the stomach pain/panic sets in. hobbies and distracting myself by being more productive tends also to do the trick, for both mitigating my feelings and just "shelving them for later". i haven't changed my diet nor am i on any medication for anything.

overall, dealing with these problems hasn't lead to me wanting to ctb. it's not even a factor for why i want to. it's just a very embarrassing blight on my existence that i have to deal with. fun!

 

[L'absent]

I sincerely want to thank everyone who has already responded and those who will contribute to this discussion in the future. Your input has been invaluable and shows how deeply this topic resonates with many people, not just me. It's rare to find such a rich and engaged exchange, and the fact that so many have shared their experiences and thoughts makes it even more meaningful.
In particular, it is even rarer to find such a valuable contribution when discussing topics that, in many contexts, are not easy to talk about. Even though this forum might offer a more open space for discussion, the truth is that, in general, it is still difficult for many to speak about these issues freely. That's why your participation is even more appreciated. Thank you sincerely for your willingness to share and for the value you are bringing to this conversation!

 

[WanderingGypsy]

Thank you for starting this topic! And thanks to those who have already shared! This is something I've been struggling with for the last few years, which is also when my depression & anxiety started to get worse. I have had some medical tests but it's mostly brushed off by the doctors I've gone to. I'm overweight too, so I think they believe it's just my diet-even tho I actually don't eat that much. But I've also tried explaining my diarrhea has become worse as my anxiety has, and again it's dismissed, and my doctor just wanted to get me started on meds. It's so frustrating! I have learned to mostly live with it-knowing I have to take meds before I leave the house, if I'm eating out I'll double up on the anti-diarrhea meds.
I think for me it's a cycle-I get diarrhea because of my anxiety and then having diarrhea causes even more anxiety! Ugh! I'm sure there are studies how continued stress and depression can cause not only digestive issues, but a factor in those who die from suicide. Just something I thought about.

Thanks again for starting this discussion!

 

[notreallybored]

ב''ה,

Fun topic. On the extremes of IBS, seems like there's definitely some major difference in how everyone's bodies handle perceived stress.

Supposedly there are younger folks here so, dear G-d, learn to eat for how your gut works. There's soluble fiber that acts like food lube lower down, and there's insoluble fiber (roughage), and hydration, electrolytes, caffeine etc. all impact this stuff.

Generally protein, cheese (the firmer low lactose types, not a tub of ricotta) draw out some water in digestion and firms things up. Bulky starchy or starch-fiber foods like potato and banana or plantains will probably ease the ride. Plain turmeric in capsules sops up a lot of water and can set things right if you don't overdo it and back yourself up. Ginger as food resets some kinds of food poisoning even if you wouldn't expect it to do that for how spicy it tastes going in. Cocoa powder also acts sort of like turmeric in a pinch unless you're real sensitive to the slight caffeine in it.

If you're eating pretty normally, okay, but if you're living off hot wings and Takis and then complaining, y'know, get some greens and a slice of plain pizza or something.

Yogurt can seem overblown but a good kosher Greek yogurt does sometimes set things right after a night of drinking or whatever.

Meanwhile, I mostly run the opposite way, stress just sucks all the water out of my digestive tract, basically use nicotine and coffee for that style of IBS if it has to be called that.

I guess from an evolutionary perspective either way works, one's a bit more off-putting if you have to run and lightens the load, the other way can be crampy and it's one less distraction.

Probiotics, I don't want to dox myself too much with my preference but some of the popular blends are real ass-blasters (something about the acidophilus? excess fiber in some forms?) and even with the running dry and tight I myself prefer the one known for causing "rope spoilage" when it's unwanted, keeps things firm and moving at the body's pace, though quality may be down in that one lately anyway.

Now, as much as folks are being shitty in other threads while this website abuses terminology all sorts of ways (mistaking SI for "suicidal ideation" as it usually is in these contexts probably confused some threads), and I'm just kvetching because it's too easy to dunk on "queer theory" discussions requiring some crappy terminology that turns up in other uses closer to real science, if you want to study some real science and not read my off-topic rants look at even just the types of "adrenergic" (norepinephrine?) receptors and their distribution in human tissue, the way they alone have feedback loops where one type cancels out or opposes the other (as might somewhat balance the system in a healthy human when actual adrenaline/norepinephrine is at play and not specific subtypes' agonists or antagonists).. anyway while I might not recommend Intuniv unless you're manic all the time, the way that stuff utterly paralyzes the intestines is an interesting example of how bizarre that biology is, and furthermore how it sorta paralyzes everything except the brain where it works opposite, so don't try that stuff for anxiety. And maybe it does hit different for you folks who get the trots under stress.

So, there's some trivia and hopefully something helpful in there. Oh, also be aware that while magnesium is supposedly nice to have, and often recommended for stress and mental health reasons, that stuff is also one heck of a laxative, so might be worth checking your diet as to that. Spinach has much more than other greens and might be why spinach is basically prune juice.

Also useful trivia, apparently vitamin D as I run way low on, and vitamin A, may both slow bile release, so maybe that's interesting to anyone short a gallbladder or with other problems, bile being present in the gut is a motility trigger.. your mileage may vary but that was an interesting paper to find. Resolving vitamin D deficiency did improve some long standing health problems and feels kinda nice for the brain so can be worth looking into, and maybe it has been good for bowel regularity in the long term after getting used to the 10000 IU a day I require.

But yeah, I just don't eat a box of thumbtacks if I know I'm going to be straining later, so if you're going to slam a pound of cheese get some vegetables/greens with that, or if you're going to dine on the hot wings or whatever you know gives you the trots buffer it with some potato or something that cancels that out. Chugging two magnesium heavy sports drinks in a row? Pace them out or pop a turmeric or do a protein bar, peanut butter bar or something.

Thanks for the distraction from how hard it is to afford food right now.