I agree that there's a link between anxiety and stress triggering a flare for some people. Stress has been a main trigger for me. I don't mean little, day to day stresses, but abnormal amounts of worry and ongoing stress. But I don't think it causes IBD.

Just as I think some foods can trigger flares for people, I don't think food causes IBD either.

I buy into the theory that it's caused by an immune system defect/genetics.

Stress definitly impacts my crohns, as well as anxiety... but it does not cause it. It just makes it worse. I really believe the crohns is a genetic defect as well.

I agree with all three of you. I don't think IBD is caused by stress/anxiety/food, but all three can trigger/make things worse during or to bring on a flare. I was diagnosed with UC back in 1996 when I was 15 in high school, so little info on it was available back then. I was in remission for around 13 years until I had my 2nd child in Oct 2008. Having my son was such a huge stress on my body physically/emotionally, it was a complicated pregnancy all the while taking care of my 3 year old. It took a huge toll on my body (many woman flare after having children). Add the stress of caring for a newborn and 3 year old, bam, my UC was back full strength, symptoms gradually returned and got worse and worse, by summer 2009 I was in a full blown flare.
I did one round of Prednisone and got better for a little bit, then as soon as I tapered off the same thing happened, I got worse. Finally things were so bad I had to be hospitalized at the beginning of May this year. I felt that the anxiety and stress in my life was extremely responsible for my not getting any better. (diet/meds were not helping!)
Since being in the hospital I've been getting better! The IV fluids and IV steriods did wonders for me. I'm still on a lot of meds, but I spoke to my doc about my anxiety/stress theory and have started taking anxiety/depression meds. The last thing I wanted to do was add another pill to my daily routine as I take so many, but so far so good. I think it's helping!
I'm almost off prednisone, my blood work looks good, and I'm going to the bathroom 2-4x max per day, which is a huge turn around from my 20+ prior to being hospitalized.
For some people food is their biggest trigger, others stress/anxiety, or maybe both, or maybe none of the above! There is no rhyme or reason to IBD, it's so different from one person to the next. For me, I do have some foods I know I should stay away from, but not many. My biggest trigger is my anxiety/stress and when I get run down from not taking care of myself!
Have you ever spoke to a doc about your anxiety? My GI had me see my GP to prescribe something. I've been like this my whole life (anxious/racing heart/clenching my jaw without realizing it until I'm in pain from it, etc). I've always thought "I don't need anything nor do I want to take anything for it!", but I'm glad I talked to someone about it.
Best of luck to you, hope you start doing better!

Whenever I get very stressed I flare really bad. If I worry I flare too. Anything that makes me breath faster or makes my tummy churn eventually makes the symptoms start. When I am calm and not worried and carefree I am symptom free.

I recently went to court and I was soo nervous before testifying that I was shaking and such. That night my symptoms started(after getting back from a local water park thank goodness, unfortuantly the symptoms started while we were picking up a frozen pizza and of coarse there aren't any bathrooms near when you need em :/) The symptoms haven't stopped yet and it's been a few days...by my assumption symptoms won't stop until a good month in

Just remember that correlation does not mean causation. There may be a correlation between the two but that does not mean there is a cause from one to the other.

Hi,

Thanks everyone for ur replies.

I firmly believe that for me anxiety is the cause of my uc. I know that just because its correlated doesnt mean it has to be the cause. i used to study psychology so im aware of the scientific method of investigation. but it still means that it could be. and for me idiosyncraticaly i believe that it is. i had very high anxiety when i was diagnosed. and have always had tension/churning in the stomach.

others may not have had this same experience so i agree it may not be the cause for everyone. perhaps different things trigger the disease. i dont know, the cause of uc is unknown so its hard to say. but for me it seems obvious. i also flare up when stressed.

studies have shown that stress causes flare ups and wasnt the first time i experienced uc a flare up also?

regards,

Jon

I think there is a realtionship between stress and flares, too. But I think UC is definitely auto immune and just like stress can weaken my immune system and make it easier for me to catch a cold,. I think that stress can bring on a flare.
The answers are out there for all of us, we need to keep searching and supporting each other.
God Bless!
Esme 1

I'm with you on this. Every flare I've had I can trace back to stress and anxiety. And during the flare, I believe it is the stress and anxiety that perpetuates it and prevents me from getting better.