Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the psychological cause of the digestive problems is a so-called “exclusion diagnosis”. This means that if diarrhea occurs repeatedly, physical and organic diseases must be searched for first. As a rule, in the case of diarrhea with corresponding accompanying symptoms, blood tests and stool tests are first carried out.
Furthermore, a gastroscopy and colonoscopy can be used to examine some parts of the digestive system with a camera, where possible organic diseases of the stomach or colon can be detected. The ultrasound examination can also provide further rough indications of structural changes in the abdominal organs. If the symptoms remain unexplained, a CT examination can also be performed, in which the entire abdominal area can be examined in layers under high radiation exposure.
Other special procedures can supplement the organic diagnostics. Only in the case of further uncertainty can the suspected diagnosis of a mental illness be made. This can be diagnosed in more detail and processed in psychological treatment.
Other accompanying symptoms
The accompanying symptoms can be similar to those of an acute or chronic stress reaction. In this case, symptoms occur throughout the body and in various organs, as the stress reaction is activated by hormones in all body cells. Typical symptoms are increased heart and breathing rate, tendency to sweat, excitement, insomnia, weight loss but also weight gain.
At the digestive tract, cramps, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation can occur. Furthermore, stress reactions occur in the muscles with an increased tendency to tension and muscle cramps. In addition, the immune system throughout the body may be reduced, resulting in a wide variety of infections, which in turn are accompanied by symptoms.Psychologically, stress can manifest itself acutely as a psychological stress reaction with fatigue, stupor (rigidity), burn-out symptoms and depression. In the long term, numerous other psychological symptoms can be added.
Treatment
The treatment of diarrhea during a psychological stress reaction can be symptomatic and causal. The focus should always be on causal treatment, which includes psychological care and treatment. In many cases primarily a talk therapy is used, which works on the causes of the psychological stress and develops solutions as well as relaxation possibilities for the everyday life.
Different psychotherapeutic methods can be used for the respective situation. In order not to additionally increase the diarrhoea, one should also pay attention to a healthy diet and avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine. Drugs for the symptomatic treatment of diarrhea should only be an option after a long period of time and successful therapy attempts.
