Panic disorder....embarrassing diarrhea...please help me

[Unregistered]

I have been suffering from a panic disorder for several years since a horrible car accident, however in the last few months it has taken a horrible twist. I started becoming intolerant to certain foods, and unfortunately had a diarrhea episode where I did not make it to the loo. Since then being in a situation where I am away from a toilet fills me with such fear that it actually induces diarrhea. I take imodium every day now, simply so I can get out of the house. I am currently receiving CBT therapy, however it does not seem to be working. Please Please is there anybody who has had either a similar experience, or knows how to calm my irrational body/mind. I feel like such a fool,
thank you.

[Azaral]

Well its not fully irrational, it is traumatic experience and stressful events that can trigger development of a food intolerence. The symptoms are very much like anxiety, especially in a case with severe diarrhea and/or physical discomfort.

If you truly feel you can overcome your anxiety and its your stomach and bowels that are stopping you, I would say you need to find the food(s) that trigger your body's panic response. The longterm consequences of food intolerence are much more than inconvenient.

[acuann]

An acupuncturist will help you with all of your symptoms - the panic/anxiety, diarrhea, pain, and overall stress. Please don't take the Immodium AD long term - this totally disrupts your bowel rhythms and can cause further problems. To find a practitioner near you please visit www.acufinder.com

Have you had a full stool test done to rule out giarrdia, parasites, candida, c. difficile, e coli and other possible infections? This should be done if it hasn't already.

To help get your intestinal flora back in balance you need to take a good quality probiotic and take the highest dose. This will help the diarrhea. www.vitacost.com has many to choose from at really great prices.

Lastly, the very best thing I have found to help with post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety is called Rescue Remedy. It is a Bach flower remedy tincture, and you just put 4 drops in a glass of water. This helps you with the emotional aspect of any trauma, whether it is a car accident, illness, divorce or death in family, or any other source of stress. This stuff is wonderful and I can't recommend it highly enough!

Best wishes.
DOM

[Unregistered]

have you thought of prayer?

[Wolf Dreamer]

I know relatives who have had that problem, where they poop on themselves if they try to drive anywhere, thus they never leave the house.

You just have to find one of these counseler people that will go with you, and thus make the exposure less stressful, someone you feel comfortable with, who is patient and not judgemental. And after a few sessions, you are cured.

Just google around, and see if you can find out what those people are called, and if they have them in your area.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...nselor&spell=1

[Unregistered]

Thank you for your kind words everyone, I think maybe acupuncture and hypnotherapy will be one way forward, I am trying to make myself get out everyday, even if it is hard and I end up running to a loo. I suppose with everything, time is what is needed. Also less stress would be good. I don't think prayer is the way forward for me, (but thank you for the suggestion), however I have considered meditation. Any thoughts anyone?

Kate

[Wolf Dreamer]

Meditation takes a lot of work. You wouldn't imagine it so hard to clear your mind, but alas, it is.

Some try to find something to take their mind off of it, like a prayer, song, or chant, or a ritual of some sort, some even suggesting wearing a rubber band to smack yourself with.

Nothing ever worked for me.

What I do as a distraction, to keep my mind off of things, creative writing, and compulsively playing a ten year old real time strategy game.

[Unregistered]

i have the same thingg i suffer from very bad anxiety ive had pretty much everything u can think of and now i am intolerant to alot of foods.....i hope its because of anxietyy

[Unregistered]

I've had the same problem. I saw a doctor who specialized in Anxiety and Panic Disorder. I no longer have any of those symptoms, and lice a completely normal life. Just ask your family doctor about a doctor who specializes in that. The amount of medication is so minimal and I have been taking it so long I forget to take it sometimes. I hope this will help.

[Unregistered]

I have had various forms of this for many years (pretty much all my life -- 50 yrs+) and thru trial and error have found that it stems (in my case) from multiple areas though the greatest change happened after I had a serious auto accident. Now I notice that it seems to stem from irritation and inflammation of my lower and mid back areas. A very good chiropractor has helped significantly as does ice. I also carry Bentyl with me (there are other anti-spasmodics as well out there that work well) and avoid dairy products and sugar when I am under stress. I have also found that cayenne pepper helps (and jalapeno hurts -- there is some Chinese reasoning for this I'm told). Taking extra Vitamin B6 has also helped.