For several years, whenever I have to take any exam or be in a nervous state of mind, I feel extremely nervous and anxious. The real problem is that this causes me to have a 'flight or fight' response and I suffer from stomach pains and often diarrhea. This has caused me to not do well in tests I have studied loads for because I have to go to the toilet. I know people might refer to this as 'Irritalbe Bowel Syndrome' but this is not so as I only have these symptoms when I feel nervous. I also have tried telling myself there is nothing to worry but the symptoms still appear. I am quite worried as important exams for college is approaching. Any advice on how to manage this anxiety?
Hi, I get the same symptoms but normally before a big event, such as exams, which make me nervous. I'd recommend getting some meds from your local pharmacy. When I told them I was getting diarrhea because of anxiety they offered my both Kalms and then some anti-diarrhea tablets, which minimised the symptoms. Also, it may help if you tell someone at college.. perhaps they can give you extra time?
Good luck in your exams!
Hi, I can totally relate to and sympathize with your plight!
I am almost 50 and all my life nerves have had the same effect on me! Even these days, when I am usually fairly calm going to the dentist, for example, I still have the urge to pee every few minutes. There was a time it was so bad that I didn't dare drink anything on the morning before a stressful event, so then I'd risk being dehydrated and headachy, which made everything worse!
Having been physically travel sick on a school trip, in front of the only teacher I ever had a crush on, I always got into a terrible state before any journey, even with my own family! Then I would get panic attacks on top of the diahorrea and it just turned into a viscious circle....the more it happened the more I worried...so the more it happened!
Now I can see that my mum has always had the same thing, but without the full-blown panic attacks. Back to my teens...we stopped using proper travel sickness pills and always took doses of Diocalms (chewable chalky aniseed-flavoured tablets that stopped tummy upsets). They may no longer be available, but I find that Imodium Instants are very good at halting genuine stmach upsets very quickly. I wouldn't recommend too-regular use of them as they could really adversly affect your system with over-use, but they could be a useful prop before stressful exams.
I think you'd find that, without the actual diahorrea to worry about, you would probably then become less stressed and your symptoms would naturally ease anyway. However, I have not found a cure for needing to pee every few minutes at times of stress, but the severity of the symptoms have definitely eased for me over the years as I have become calmer about certain situations. I am a regular blood donor and I used to be terrible before the donation...unable to eat or drink (a very unwise idea!) beforehand and virtually stuck on the loo! Just as well that I feel calmer now as these days you have to drink a pint of water when you get there as it prevents you from fainting afterwards!
Any relaxation techniques you can try well before your exams would be a good start. I always found that listening to music was the best thing I could do to distract my mind from overworrying before exams or journeys. I was well-known for always going to pieces in exams, with terrible brain-fog, yet my term work was good...but of course it was never counted in those days...it was all about exams!
I wish you all the best with your exams and finding some relief from the self-induced tummy upsets x
It is not entirely clear how stress, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are related or which one comes first but studies show they tend to co-exist. Bowel problems are a common problem with anxiety, as the stress from anxiety alters hormones, changes digestion speeds, and puts significant pressure on your intestines.
The best thing to tackle this is to ensure that you are digesting the healthiest foods possible so that your bowel has to do less work. Your bowel problems are nothing more than a reaction to your overall mental health. So the better you’ll feel. Avoid foods and drinks that stimulate intestines (such as caffeine, tea or colas). Avoid large meals and increase fibre in the diet.