anxiety issues?
Wed, December 08, 2010 5:00 PM
Has anyone else every noticed that when they are having a flair that they have anxiety?
I have never had any issues with anxiety unitl right before I got diagnosed which was while I was ill and falling apart. Since then I have noticed the few times that I have had bad anxiety since being diagnosed is usually with a flareup. I recently went to my GI doc who said there isn't a connection but I feel she may be wrong.
I was diagnosed with UC when I was 25 and never had anxiety issues before now I have had 2 or 3 episodes where the anxiety is just horrible. Not just about the UC but about anything....I feel like I'm going crazy even though my cousellor assures me I am not.
Anyone else have any emotional or mental changes since being diagnosed?
Joined Aug 30, 2010
Sat, January 01, 2011 5:26 PM
Reply posted for mckinndn.
I suffer from anxiety and have for most of my adult life. I was diagnosed with crohn's, ulcerative colitis, and most recently ibs. Right now I think I'm having a flare up or a bug. I don't know which one I would prefer right now so my mind is going a mile a minute wondering when it will end and is this a flare or not? Last July I started taking an anti anxiety/depressant and do feel a difference. However, I wish during a time like this (wondering if it's a flare or not), that I could just stop thinking about it. I am so nauseous I can't stand it!!! Yesterday I just thought if I could get throught today I will be okay tomorrow but I was wrong. Good luck and I do strongly feel that anxiety and stress go hand in hand with flare ups.
ngc
ngc249Joined Dec 19, 2008
Thu, December 09, 2010 8:50 PM
Reply posted for mckinndn.
Hmmm... I don't know that I know how to put what's in my head into words that make sense, but I'm going to give it a try.
I'd never really considered that I have anxiety issues that are more than a "normal" amount of anxiety, but when I do have issues with my Crohn's my body responds to normal stressors in a bigger way than when I'm not having a flare up... like when I'm anxious, scarred, nervous, stressed what would be just a "butterfly feeling" in my stomach gets pretty intense, and that increase in pain causes a jump in anxiety. I can't say that I've personally needed any meds to help with this yet, but my GI doc said that they sometimes prescribe people with anti-anxiety meds that would they would not prescribe them to just to keep their IBD in check a little better.
Sorry I'm definitely NOT the best writer in the world, but I hope it makes sense
Joined Dec 8, 2010
Thu, December 09, 2010 6:33 PM
Reply posted for mckinndn.
Hey mckinndn,
I also have experienced anxiety since being diagnosed with crohns. I recently started anti anxiety meds, and I feel 100% better. It isnt that you are going crazy, it is your mind dealing with extra stress. Even if you if had the disease for 1 day or 50 years, compared to most people, you have much more stress to deal with. Talk with your primary care physician about medication, conseling or a support group. Good Luck!
-dana
Joined Aug 10, 2009
Thu, December 09, 2010 8:46 AM
Reply posted for mckinndn.
I have had anxiety all my life, so it is hard to say.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2003; and I cannot say that my anxiety is worsened when having a flare up.
But your counselor is right, you are not crazy.
What most people fail to understand, is that every time you have a flair up, it is like experiencing a traumatic event. It effects everything and is exhausting. It make sense that this would cause anxiety.
Many people when sick, begin to have anxiety about random things, unrelated to the disease. I think it is part of being exhausted and sick of being sick. You become hyper-vigilent and then you notice that other things are worrying you too.
Do not worry. It really is normal.
Joined Sep 21, 2010