couple questions for my fellow anxiety sufferers

I was diagnosed with severe anxiety in 2004 after coming back from deployment (war *****). Since then, its taken an ugly turn to health anxiety - I eat very healthy for the most part, but any little twitch in my body, I began to freak out (I hate google)...

But a few questions

1) does anybody else experience loose - diarrhea type stools during anxiety?

2) is driving around therapeutic for anybody else?

3) does your anxiety go away at night?

[CaliGirl48]

Yes first of all STAY AWAY FROM GOOGLE!!!
It is the worst thing for people like us. I actually had to uninstall the google tool bar so I wouldn't be tempted lol.

As far as your symptoms, I haven't noticed any change in bowel movements with my anxiety..thats pretty much the only symptoms I don't have. But I'm sure others will tell you they do.

Driving around, or doing anything for that matter gives me relief for the most part. When I was younger I use to take long drives to think and reflect, so it is only natural for that to be helpful to me now. (as long as it doesn't involve being stuck in traffic, cause thats a whole other story)

And yes my anxiety in the beginning seemed to not be as bad at night. Now however, its just the opposite. Its different for everyone, and a long uphill battle. But you aren't alone. We are all floating in the same little boat with you.

Good Luck

Crystal

[Leah22]

Sometimes  anxiety can cause irritable bowel syndrome which can cause loose stools. Sometimes when i am very anxious or after a panic attack, I experience some unpleasant things.....if you know what I mean. Anxiety can affect your body in so many ways. Sometimes driving helps too, if you aren't an anxious driver. Also, my anxiety does seem to not be as bad at night. I am not sure why this is, but for me, its the case.

[SwatiAwate]

yes my ant has diarrhea type anxiety for last 20 yr. After lost of check up related to stool there is no problem found .
now recently she is taking phsycatrist treatment and she is feelling well

[lonewolf07]

You asked:

1) does anybody else experience loose - diarrhea type stools during anxiety?

Yes, I do and always have.

2) is driving around therapeutic for anybody else?

Don't have a car so I walk/run with the dogs.

3) does your anxiety go away at night?

Only if I'm sleeping and even then, I dream a lot.

Is your anxiety less at night?  For some reason, I thought anxiety was worse at night but I guess it strikes whenever we're most vulnerable.

wolf

[cj29]

I first suffered from the same thing after my second deployment, so I can really relate to how you feel.  The good thing is, it will get better with time as long as you learn to confront it.  The one good thing the military is doing MUCH better is having therapists ready to talk it through.   If you are still on active duty it is very easy to make an appointment, if you are out you can use the VA if you do not have one already.  For me, putting it all out on the table really helps, and yes anxiety can cause what you describe and much more.  Keep us posted.

[ODNation]

thanks for the replies everyone

for whatever reason... its as if i have no anxiety what-so-ever at night. I think it may have to do with the fact that im in a more social environment. I force myself to be around my friends and family - if im not with them, I go out by the lake and do a serious of breathing exercises (which helps so much).

But in the morning, completely different story. I got some real bad anxiety going on right now, especially after this happened last night --> http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/542759

cj - I was honorably discharged from the army in march 2007, but I should be able to visit the VA still. I have been dealing with this for 4 years, Im at my wits end... pretty desperate at this point