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Mental Health > Anxiety and Stress Forum > IBS and anxiety disorders
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Q: IBS and anxiety disorders
asked by: DoctorQuestion on August 4th, 2008
I do not want to leave my home. I feel at times that I will have to poop if I'm on the bus or subway to or from work. I am not sure if it's the anxiety that is affecting my stomach or if it's stomach issues altogether. I had an issue 3 years ago where I had to get off the bus to use the restroom and that led to a severe panic attack. It stopped and about 6 months later it started again. It affected me so that I was out of work for 2 weeks with panic attacks. I was on Klonopin (.5 mg) for about 4 months which I stopped taking and was fine. I became pregnant and things were smooth. About a month ago I had another panic attack that I would have to poop while I was on the bus and it has been occurring ever since. So much so now that I have to use the bathroom every day and it seems to be loose stool. I feel as if I'm going to go crazy and/or lose my job if this continues.


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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on August 5th, 2008
Anxiety and Stress Answer A4534
Current medical status: Anxiety and stomach problems
Current medical treatment: none

Your stomach problems might be due to the anxiety disorder you have. Urges for a bowel movement only in public places are caused by psychiatric reasons (anxiety disorder) rather than intestinal ones. A digestive disorder caused by anxiety is called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Your panic attacks and IBS are probably symptoms of the anxiety disorder you have.

You may want to consult a mental health expert about your problem.





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