Abdominal pain through the psyche

introduction

Psychological problems or fearful situations often result in abdominal pain.
Everyone knows the unpleasant gut feeling, for example before exam situations. This is particularly common in children.

Also read the article on the topic: Diarrhea and psyche

causes

The term “psychosomatic” encompasses mental and psychological complaints / worries and / or inner-psychological conflicts, which are expressed in physical complaints, including often abdominal pain.
Psychosomatic abdominal pain is not based on a physical illness.

The most common cause of such mental abdominal pain is stress. Everyone knows that this can literally hit the stomach.

Since such a physical reaction can often be observed in families as a result of stressful situations, a genetic component that contributes to the development of psychologically-related abdominal pain is discussed.
It is assumed that the autonomic nervous system is more ready to react to situations that seem to put the body on alert, such as lectures or exams.
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling numerous organ systems and its function can be influenced by various hormones.

In addition to this genetic component, the nature of a person, their social environment and the support they receive, and an often accompanying, unhealthy lifestyle, play an important role in the development of psychosomatic abdominal pain.

A person with a healthy self-confidence and a stable social environment, for example, is more likely to suffer from it less often than those who are in a difficult phase of life and receive little support.

In addition to stress, fears, depression, grief, excessive demands and nervousness are other common triggers of mentally-related abdominal pain.
Positive stress can also lead to "stomach aches", the famous "butterflies in the stomach", which are perceived as pleasant. Sensitization and irritation of the autonomic nervous system for the development of the dull stomach feeling also play an important role here.

Read more on the topic:

• Abdominal pain from stress
• Psychosomatic pain- can you imagine pain?

therapy

Therapy of mental abdominal pain is often very complex and tedious.

First of all, it must be ensured that the pain is not caused by a physical illness or infection, which itself often takes a long time.

One of the main goals of therapy is to have a Chronification of pain and above all others psychological complications how depressions or Anxiety disorders to avoid.

The foundation of treatment is formed by two approaches.
One serves above all else Abdominal pain relief, also to prevent an additional stress reaction from the body as a result of the discomfort. This is achieved with the help of various medications adapted to the person concerned and should not be done at your own discretion, but in consultation with a doctor.

The second important approach is one psychotherapeutic treatmentwith the aim of eliminating the root cause of the discomfort. A flare-up of pain in renewed stressful situations is common, which is why therapy can take years to finally relieve symptoms.

Psychogenic abdominal pain in children

Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms that children experience.
Often can, especially with always recurring abdominal pain, no organic cause can be found in terms of physical illness. This is often also called Umbilical colic in the child.

It is now assumed that every fifth child suffers from such psychosomatic complaints. This is probably due to the steady increasing pressure to perform, at school as well as partly in the private environment.
Many already suffer from fear of failure in primary school and the development of physical symptoms, as I said, often abdominal pain, is an attempt by the psyche to deal with this stress.

Even with children who bullied or are afraid of other classmates and teachers, abdominal pain is often observed, especially in the morningwhen the children have to leave for school.

If the symptoms persist over a long period of time and nothing changes in the triggering situations and the accompanying stress, there is a risk of a Chronification and development of other mental illnesses, led by depression.

In case of doubt, a doctor should therefore always be consulted.
Therapy is based on two pillars - on the one hand, the Treatment of painin order not to get into a vicious circle of pain and as described under the point "causes" depression and on the other hand, the elimination or treatment of the underlying psychological cause.

Psychogenic abdominal pain with diarrhea

Diarrhea is often an accompanying symptom of mental abdominal pain. The activation of the autonomic nervous system as a result of stress, fear or nervousness is very likely to play a major role in the development.

The diarrhea often worsens as the stress level increases or occurs only in such situations. Further interesting information on this topic can be found at: Diarrhea from stress

The diarrhea is often accompanied by cramping abdominal pain. You can find out more about the topic here: Abdominal pain and diarrhea

In the well-known irritable bowel syndrome, in which those affected often suffer from diarrhea, those affected by nature have a more sensitive gastrointestinal tract. The cause is so far unknown. However, a psychological component is suspected, as stress in particular often affects the digestive system of those suffering from it and diarrhea occurs.

Read more on the topic: Irritable bowel syndrome

Psychogenic abdominal pain with flatulence

Many people are plagued by Flatulence and the related distended belly.
It is not uncommon for a bloated stomach to be psychosomatic as a result of an increased stress level.

People who naturally suffer from a sensitive stomach react all the more strongly to stressful situations and often complain about one combination out Abdominal pain, diarrhea and Flatulence.

Of the inner pressurethat builds up due to psychological stress literally reflects itself physically in this way. As the stress level decreases, the symptoms often decrease or even disappear entirely.
Mentally induced flatulence are very often perceived by those affected as uncomfortable and stressful, which in turn can affect the psyche itself. There is a Vicious circlewhich in the worst case scenario can end in more serious mental illness, like depression or social withdrawal.

You can find more information on the topic here: Abdominal pain from gas