Sage-Tips

Is IBS associated with depression?

As far as scientists know, irritable bowel syndrome doesn’t cause depression, and depression doesn’t cause IBS. But for many people, the two go together. Sometimes, one condition can make the other one worse.

Does depression affect your bowels?

According to those Harvard researchers, depression can cause (or be a result of) an inflamed digestive system, with pain that’s easily mistaken for illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

Why do people with depression have stomach issues?

Depression can lead to a host of tummy troubles. But it’s also important to recognize when digestive distress could be a sign of a physical illness. Depression symptoms often include certain digestive problems — research has shown that the makeup of bacteria in your gut can influence your emotional health.

How does mental health affect IBS?

Although psychological problems like anxiety don’t cause the digestive disorder, people with IBS may be more sensitive to emotional troubles. Strong emotions like stress, anxiety, and depression trigger chemicals in the brain that turn on pain signals in your gut that may cause your colon to react.

Can antidepressants make IBS worse?

Your doctor may give you one that is not in this list. For people who have IBS along with depression and anxiety, these medicines may be used in doses that are usually used to treat depression or anxiety. Some antidepressants may make constipation worse. Others may make diarrhea worse.

Could your IBS be linked to depression?

IBS can be extremely debilitating, resulting in feelings of low mood and even contribute to the onset of depression. IBS and low mood can work together in a vicious cycle, with physical symptoms affecting mood in a negative way and vice versa.

What antidepressant works best for IBS?

Anti-depressants can block the brain’s perception of pain in the gut. For IBS-C, your doctor may prescribe small doses of an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

How does irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) cause depression?

People with IBS frequently suffer from anxiety and depression, which can worsen symptoms. That’s because the colon is in part controlled by the nervous system, which responds to stress. Evidence also suggests that the immune system, also responding to stress, plays a role. IBS can also make you feel more anxious and depressed .

Does anxiety cause someone to get IBS?

It’s widely believed that anxiety is the chief cause of IBS. Yet not everyone with anxiety gets IBS. It may have something to do with neurotransmitter production. Those with anxiety may be low on neurotransmitters like serotonin, and the gut has receptors that are also reactive to serotonin levels.