Can Anxiety or Stress Cause Diarrhoea?

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This blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice or diagnosis. If you have health concerns, consult an AHPRA-registered telehealth doctor or request a medical certificate online if clinically appropriate. Please note: Hola Health does not currently offer Mental Health Care Plans.

Overview

Anxiety, a pervasive form of stress, profoundly impacts our digestive system, often manifesting as diarrhoea. This phenomenon stems from the body’s stress response, where the adrenal glands secrete hormones like cortisol and adrenaline speeds up gut motility. This speeding up of movement of the gut leads to frequent, urgent bowel movements – the hallmark of diarrhoea. Anxiety also disrupts the gut-brain axis, the communication highway between the central and enteric nervous systems, contributing to further gastrointestinal discomfort and altered bowel habits.

Management: How do you get rid of diarrhoea from anxiety?

Incorporating relaxation techniques like progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and biofeedback into your daily routine can reduce overall stress levels and help to control the physical symptoms. Building a supportive network of friends, family, or joining support groups can provide emotional solace, indirectly helping in relieving stress-related diarrhoea. Dietary adjustments, such as incorporating soluble fibre to solidify stools and avoiding high-fat foods and large meals, can prevent worsening of symptoms. Keeping a food diary may also help to identify and avoid specific triggers.

How to prevent stress-induced diarrhoea?

Building resilience against stress is key to prevention. Time management skills can reduce deadline pressure, while setting realistic goals and boundaries can prevent overcommitment – a common stressor. Cultivating a positive outlook, practising mindfulness, and reframing negative thoughts can enhance stress-coping abilities, reducing gastrointestinal repercussions. Regular physical activity, by stimulating endorphin production, acts as a natural stress reliever, alleviating diarrhoea.

When to see a doctor?

Consult a online gp if symptoms persist despite self-management efforts or if they disrupt your daily life. A healthcare provider can assess for other potential causes, such as infections, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or food intolerances, ensuring that these are appropriately treated. If stress and anxiety are overwhelming, a referral to a mental health professional may provide strategies and therapies specifically tailored to managing anxiety, potentially alleviating the diarrhoea.