Anxiety - gas

[anxietyville]

In recent years I have developed a very difficult issue to deal with.  In closed in situations on the job - closed door meetings in small spaces, spur of the moment meetings one on one, being a key person in a meeting whether big or small - sometimes in social settings as well - if it's again in a small more confined feeling space like an apartment.  I get very anxious and when I get anxious I get immediately this surge of gas pressure which makes me dance around in my seat in order to control - sometimes if it's too much I have to make up an excuse and quickly leave the room.  this has become unbearable - I don't get nauseus, I don't get faint - I get this overwhelming uncontrollable feeling of gas.  I try to control it by what I eat, I've taken daily anti-depressants in the past (and that is something I no longer like to do - mainly because this is an occasional occurence and even with xanax, meetings happen spur of the moment and I have to be able to deal with this).  Am I alone?  It's so embarassing - what can I do?

[HockeyShark]

Iritatable Bowel Syndrome is a common effect of anxiety

[bjfoste1]

have you tried Gas X or something of that sort

[bjfoste1]

like farting you mean? have not had that one

[April2]

You're not alone! I've had that too every time I get anxious and stressed, which I have been this week since I've had a family emergency. I think when we get upset it can throw our whole bodies out of wack. I bet if you were able to check right at the time you're feeling anxious, you'd see that your blood pressure is elevated, your breathing is probably a little elevated, your temperature can go up slightly, your heart beats faster.

When you're tense, you tighten your stomach and muscles which would include your digestion tract I would think. All of that stress can do a number on our bodies! Some of it is immediate and we see it right away like a headache, gas, upset stomach, sweaty palms, nausea, dizziness, heart palpitations, racing thoughts. All of these are a flight/fight response our bodies take when it feels threatened or fearful.Long term effects can be worse if we don't learn to get our stress and anxiety under control.

I think we just need to learn ways to cope with stress better. Try spending some quiet time every day in prayer/meditation, deep breathing exercises. Yoga and exercise is a good stress reliever too.
Don't worry! You're not alone! :) Just take some time out to unwind every day and find something that works for you. Take care!