Social Anxiety Support

stillme · 10-05-2009, 11:14 AM

I was just wondering if my excessive gas could be related to my social anxiety disorder.

i am constantly dreading going out in public alone (if i'm with someone, ANYONE, i am fine, because then i think no one is looking at/judging just me)... i walk my dog (alone) twice a day and before each time i worry about who i will meet, what might happen, what embarassing situation i might get into, what stupid thing i might possibly say, etc. etc.

anyway, i've been like this since i was about 14 (now 29) and i always just thought i was "extremely shy"... i've been reading a lot about social anxiety disorder and i'm pretty sure that's what i have... since about the time i started being afraid of going out in public alone, i started having weird GI problems (severe GERD and having small but frequent bowel movements and lots of gas after i eat ANYTHING)... my gas almost never smells bad and it almost always just feels like bubbles in my stomach (no pain at all)... my GERD has always been better with Pepsid AC and it actually doesn't act up anymore... as for the gas, i've had to cut down on things i love like hanging out with my friends in the evening (gas is worse in the evening - maybe after a whole day of food) because it's just too embarassing (even though it rarely smells)...

anyway, after reading about social anxiety disorder, i think it's what might be causing my GI problems too (especially the gas)... just wondering if anyone out there has had the same GI problems in relation to their SAD?? i haven't met ONE person in my life that feels like i do... not ONE...

crazyg · 10-05-2009, 11:23 AM

Yes, social anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can often go together. Anxiety can exacerbate the problems creating gas, or having to go to the washroom multiple times. I've experienced such problems. It's very embarrassing. But eating properly, visiting your doctor for suggestions, a proper sleep schedule, going to the washroom when you need to go, and dealing with your anxiety can all help a lot. I hope it gets better for you. Just realize you are not alone...at all.

glarmph · 10-05-2009, 11:36 AM

Maybe too much fiber in your diet.

Lisa · 10-05-2009, 01:34 PM

IBSs maybe? Do some research on google and then vary your diet systematically. I had that and needed to eat a high fibre diet and stay away from dairy.

I no longer have IBS though btw. (the diet helped at the time but in the end I just felt more relaxed and things were ok again)

10-05-2009, 11:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
stillme Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	excessive gas/no pain associated I was just wondering if my excessive gas could be related to my social anxiety disorder. i am constantly dreading going out in public alone (if i'm with someone, ANYONE, i am fine, because then i think no one is looking at/judging just me)... i walk my dog (alone) twice a day and before each time i worry about who i will meet, what might happen, what embarassing situation i might get into, what stupid thing i might possibly say, etc. etc. anyway, i've been like this since i was about 14 (now 29) and i always just thought i was "extremely shy"... i've been reading a lot about social anxiety disorder and i'm pretty sure that's what i have... since about the time i started being afraid of going out in public alone, i started having weird GI problems (severe GERD and having small but frequent bowel movements and lots of gas after i eat ANYTHING)... my gas almost never smells bad and it almost always just feels like bubbles in my stomach (no pain at all)... my GERD has always been better with Pepsid AC and it actually doesn't act up anymore... as for the gas, i've had to cut down on things i love like hanging out with my friends in the evening (gas is worse in the evening - maybe after a whole day of food) because it's just too embarassing (even though it rarely smells)... anyway, after reading about social anxiety disorder, i think it's what might be causing my GI problems too (especially the gas)... just wondering if anyone out there has had the same GI problems in relation to their SAD?? i haven't met ONE person in my life that feels like i do... not ONE...

10-05-2009, 11:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
crazyg Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 577	Yes, social anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can often go together. Anxiety can exacerbate the problems creating gas, or having to go to the washroom multiple times. I've experienced such problems. It's very embarrassing. But eating properly, visiting your doctor for suggestions, a proper sleep schedule, going to the washroom when you need to go, and dealing with your anxiety can all help a lot. I hope it gets better for you. Just realize you are not alone...at all. __________________ Sometimes I wish I were someone else, but then why not just try to be the person I want to be? Crazy girl

10-05-2009, 11:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
glarmph Status: Hiding in my basement Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Gender: Male Age: 25 Posts: 243	Maybe too much fiber in your diet.

10-05-2009, 01:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lisa Status: Missing her friends!!!!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Britain Posts: 2,069	IBSs maybe? Do some research on google and then vary your diet systematically. I had that and needed to eat a high fibre diet and stay away from dairy. I no longer have IBS though btw. (the diet helped at the time but in the end I just felt more relaxed and things were ok again)