Can depression cause diarrhoea?
Are you feeling down in the dumps? Is your tummy giving you a hard time? Well, you’re in luck because today we’ll be discussing whether depression can cause diarrhoea. So buckle up and get ready for a wild ride because we’re about to embark on a journey deep into the stomach – I mean mind!
What is Depression?
Before we dive into the relationship between depression and diarrhoea, let’s first briefly discuss what depression actually is. According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
But did you know that there are different types of depression? That’s right! Some people experience major depressive disorder while others may have persistent depressive disorder. And if that wasn’t enough, there are also other subtypes such as seasonal affective disorder, psychotic depression and postpartum depression.
So how does all this relate to diarrhea exactly?
The Relationship Between Body & Mind
It might surprise you to find out that our minds and bodies are closely intertwined; after all they both coexist within us! Anxiety disorders such as panic attack or generalized anxiety disorder can often manifest physical symptoms like chest pain et al but what about mental illnesses like major depressive disorders which have long been reported by various studies showing connect with gastro-intestinal issues specifically diarrhea.
Nowadays it’s common knowledge among researchers studying psychiatric medicine: whatever occurs mentally has corresponding somatic manifestations present far removed from where its origin could lie hidden somewhere within amygdala or prefrontal cortex regions typically associated foremost with emotions experts maintain constantly evolving medical opinion centered around correlation suggests “if one thing falls off balance other systems adjust accordingly.”
How Exactly Does Depression Result In Diarrhea?
Have you ever felt like butterflies were fluttering around inside your stomach when you were anxious? Now imagine that feeling but ten times worse. That’s what some people with Depression have described as their feelings in the gut area.
When you’re depressed, your body goes through a lot of stress (not unlike when one suffers from anxiety) which can trigger diarrhea. The bowels evacuating spontaneously could be attributed to the gastrointestinal system reacting disproportionately due to aforementioned rising levels of cortisol hormones brought on by persistent depressive thoughts.
What Can You Do About It?
Diarrhoea and depression are no joke so if you suffer from both it is advisable to consult a medical professional for guidance. However there is relief: treatments recommended usually include anti-depressants, lifestyle changes such as dieting or exercise regimen focused particularly on improving bowel health and therapy focused on mindfulness mediation practices like yoga and breathing exercises complementary medicine procedures including acupuncture exercise alternate naturopathy among other things.
At the end of the day every person’s experience and case management will differ according to severity subcategory presence duration degrees of correlation distress level etcetera; therefore all practical information shared throughout this article should be taken purely “as is” given individual unique experiences or cases differences perceptive notion symptomalogy tolerance intensity preferences discretion requirements et al.
| Symptoms | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Nausea | Ginger tea |
| Abdominal pain | Peppermint oil |
| Dehydration | Fluid replacement drinks |
To conclude, while there may not be an exact answer as to whether depression causes diarrhoea or not, there definitely seems to be a relationship between them! Just always remember if ever experiencing a new seemingly connected set symptoms lookwell beyond atypical potential correlation signs implications origins possibilities coexistent disorders conditions et cetera occurring together calmly objectively view comprehensive history before sensing extreme disengagement panic overreaction this shall help keep you calm cool collected stay informed equipped take measures to deal with the various symptoms of depression and diarrhoea.