Psychosomatics of diarrhea in adults: the opinion of Liz Burbo, Louise Hay on what emotions cause diarrhea

The website “Beautiful and Successful” has already written about the psychosomatics of cancer. But not only cancer has psychosomatic causes. As a rule, any disease is, to one degree or another, caused not only by external factors (environment, nutritional habits, habits of the sick person), but also by the psychological state of the person.

Today we will talk about how, under the influence of such a factor as psychosomatics, the stomach stops working normally.

What is psychosomatics

Psychosomatics is a branch of medicine that studies the influence of psychological state on the occurrence and course of various diseases.

The connection between psychological and physiological states is well studied and proven. For example, chronic stress can reduce immunity and the body's resistance to infections. [1] Stress, including short-term stress, is also one of the causes of tension headaches. [2]

But psychosomatics is not the main cause of all or even most diseases. Yes, there are tension headaches, but there are also migraines, which depend on stress to a much lesser extent. There is a decrease in immunity due to chronic stress, but there are also viruses that enter our body and cause ARVI, regardless of whether we have stress and negative emotions or not.

The connection between the mental and physical is more subtle and complex than is sometimes imagined.

Intense emotions can cause stress - stress can lower the immune system and weaken the body - some kind of disease can arise in the body. Which and when will depend on the individual’s individual predisposition and lifestyle, and not on the type of emotions he experiences.

How does the psyche affect health?

Many emotions entail muscle tension, which can be so strong that it causes, as psychosomatics explains, pain in the stomach, because not only striated muscles react, but also smooth muscles.

The more a person tries to suppress his negative feelings, the more pronounced the body’s response is. Gastritis, peptic ulcers and even oncology are largely provoked by psychosomatic factors.

Scientists believe that the occurrence of diseases is explained by the desire of the stomach to digest not only food, but also any information coming from the outside. If it causes unpleasant emotions to a person, the organ immediately responds to them with special physiological reactions.

Can psychosomatics cause breast, blood, brain or any other type of tumor?

In short, no, science does not reveal such a connection. There is no convincing evidence that chronic stress or psychosomatics causes a disease such as cancer. Some studies find an extremely weak connection, but other studies do not confirm it. [3]

Internal factors - genetics, age or random mutations - are responsible for only 10-30% of cancers. [4]

WHO names the following main causes of cancer (psychosomatics are not among them):

• related to lifestyle and habits (overeating, excess weight, smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, lack of physical activity);
• associated with viruses (hepatitis, human papillomavirus, immunodeficiency virus, Helicobacter pylori);
• associated with the influence of environmental factors (ultraviolet radiation, i.e. tanning, various carcinogens such as asbestos, air pollution, passive smoking). [5]

Ways to cure diarrhea due to nervousness

As a rule, an analysis of the content of their psychological causes helps to identify ways of healing from psychosomatic illnesses.

In our case, the essence of the psychological reasons for the occurrence of diarrhea due to nervousness comes down to the fact that a person does not want to experience and assimilate the invaluable experience offered to him by Life (in the form of ideas, emotions, situations, experiences, actions, etc.). He refuses this life experience, not realizing that all this is given for his own development, growth (moral, mental, psycho-emotional).

Hence, healing of nervous diarrhea can occur only after a person realizes that his chosen position in life is incorrect. Understanding that running away from difficulties only worsens the situation, a person will want to change their behavior tactics. Then his body will not have to come up with a signal in the form of diarrhea.

Of course, each of us tries to get by in life without stressful situations. But, as a rule, it is situations like these that strengthen us. For example, consider such a common cause of illness as fear (before an exam, an important event, etc.). Yes, this is not a very pleasant feeling. But it also has the goal of our improvement: through it we learn to control ourselves, that is, control our thoughts and emotions (which is very important for the development of Homo Sapiens).

Thus, everything that we go through in Life (all these stresses, exciting events, difficulties) has as its goal the Development of ourselves. This is how we learn to react intelligently, act wisely, live, discovering something new in every moment of Life that enriches our inner world.

But provided that we accept and assimilate all this wealth of life’s colors.

Enjoy every moment of Life and be healthy!

Risk factors for some types of cancer

We reviewed scientific publications and found no studies or reviews that identified chronic stress or negative thoughts as a risk factor. International recommendations, for example, those of the WHO or the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, also do not name psychosomatics among the causes of oncology.

For example, among the risk factors for skin cancer there are no psychosomatic causes, but there are tanning, fair skin, human papillomavirus, and direct exposure to carcinogens on the skin. [6]

Risk factors for oral cancer - no psychosomatics. The most common causes are smoking, alcohol, and human papillomavirus. [7]

Thyroid cancer - no psychosomatic factors are identified. The main causes are ionizing radiation (radiation), heredity, mutations of several genes, and hormonal disorders. [8]

The most common type of cancer, lung cancer, also without psychosomatics. The main reason is smoking, including passive smoking. [5] Of course, not all smokers necessarily get cancer. And, unfortunately, sometimes those who lead a healthy lifestyle get sick. Yusuf Hannan, one of the modern cancer researchers, gives the following analogy: “Internal factors are like a gun with only one bullet. All people play Russian roulette with cancer. But smokers add three more bullets to their drum, multiplying the risks.”

For other types of tumors - cancer of the cervix, breast, intestines or rectum, stomach, bones or jaw - there are also no psychosomatic causes.

It is not our thoughts, but external factors, carcinogens, that influence our cells and cause them to mutate.

What psychological conditions can cause diarrhea?

The main driving force behind psychogenic diarrhea, according to scientists, is a feeling of fear. Under the influence of a strong emotional shock, the body tries to launch a self-preservation program and escape from danger. But since physically getting away from the problem is problematic in some cases, the body protects itself by removing everything unnecessary. And the stool is the first to pass.

Further, any situation similar to the initial stress will cause the release of adrenaline. It stimulates excessive intestinal motility, pain, and contraction of the stomach muscles. This ends with communication with the toilet.

Causes of psychosomatic diarrhea:

1. Depression.
2. Psychoses.
3. Panic attack.
4. Manic-depressive manifestations.
5. Neuroses.
6. Emotional overexcitation or shock.
7. A child can react in this way to the aggression of classmates, moving, or a new environment.

Psychosomatic disorders occur in patients with a family history of pathologies of the nervous system. In infants, loose stools do not occur due to nervousness.

Psychosomatics of cancer in adults

So, stress and our emotions do not directly cause cancer. However, there is still a connection between cancer and psychosomatics. Let's highlight 3 main types of communication.

1. Stress and bad habits

Stress can indirectly provoke cancer. People who experience chronic stress may develop behaviors that increase their risk of cancer. For example, they will eat problems, smoke or drink to relieve tension. And these reasons can already increase the risk of tumor development.

1. Cancer as a cause of psychological problems

“At first my husband endured everything steadfastly, it seemed like a flint. Then I realized how bad he really felt, but he hid it, didn’t want to “burden” us. I think that's why he broke down. Although the treatment helped, the tumor shrank, and the Kashirka doctors were even inspired. But suddenly the husband went out and stopped resisting. I started doing everything [the treatment] over and over again, putting it off until tomorrow, and in the end I gave up chemotherapy altogether, saying that I couldn’t stand it for another day. And everything went downhill, the tumor grew 10 times, no unconventional methods helped.”

— Marina, 45 years old

Oncological diseases almost always pull the rug out from under your feet, and the course of this disease is often accompanied by anxiety, depressive disorders, sleep disorders, and suicidal risks. [9] People deny their diagnosis, refuse treatment, and destructive behavior occurs. The quality of life drops significantly, some habits only aggravate the condition, for example, the desire to cope with everything yourself, the inability to ask for help.

About 40% of cancer survivors report symptoms of depression and anxiety. [10] It is important not only to cure the tumor, but also to maintain psychological health, so the support of specialists at the stage of treatment and recovery is vital.

1. The influence of psychosomatics on recovery

Another important connection is between psychosomatics and the healing process. Anxiety and depressive disorders not only increase subjective suffering, but can also contribute to faster disease progression and a decreased chance of full recovery. [11] Reducing stress levels during treatment can have a positive impact on recovery. It is important to understand that a positive attitude in this case is an auxiliary method and is not a replacement for the main treatment.

Psychosomatic causes of diseases of the small intestine

According to Louise Hay, diseases of the small intestine mean that a person is not able to extract and perceive useful things from life, clings to details and does not see in integrity.

Dr. Luule Viilma explains that diseases of the small intestine arise from the experience of being obliged to do small things when a person wants to do big things. The manifestation of these diseases is also associated with a negative, arrogant, ironic attitude towards women's work.

Discomfort in the duodenum reflects distrust of others, fear, tension, and constant pain in the duodenum indicates cruelty, heartlessness and anger of a person towards the team.

A duodenal ulcer occurs when a person is very concentrated on the problem, literally eating himself. This disease often occurs in irritable people who are indignant, but feel helpless.

Ulcerative bleeding and rupture of the duodenum indicate a person’s vindictiveness towards the collective, the transformation of his anger towards the collective into cruelty.

Psychosomatics of cancer in children

Oncological diseases are much less common in children than in adults. About 3 thousand cases in 2020 versus 617 thousand cases, respectively. [12] The causes of cancer in children are not as well understood as in adults. One of the main reasons is genetic. Some infections, such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus (herpes type 4) and malaria, are also a risk factor. External factors or lifestyle influence to a minor extent. [13] No connection with psychosomatic causes has been identified either.

Children get different types of cancer than adults. For example, cancer of the pancreas or liver is rare, leukemia and blood cancer are more common - these types of cancer cannot be prevented by psychosomatics or other methods.

“My child had acute lymphoblastic leukemia 10 years ago. It was difficult and scary. But there was something else just as lousy as leukemia. When my son was diagnosed, I went to a social worker for support, and heard that I really didn’t want a child, so I launched his destruction program. I cried for an hour, and she convinced me to confess. But this was a desired child. We planned and prepared. I couldn’t get pregnant for 5 years, I think mothers who also waited a long time will understand me. I started to feel so depressed, I spent 2 years doing soul-searching, trying to understand when and why such a thought might have slipped through my mind. My son had already been cured, we had already been discharged, but I was just in a black hole. Only after 2 years I decided to go to a psychotherapist, I was terribly afraid. But she turned out to be an adequate woman, prescribed treatment, said that we are not gods, so that the whole world revolves around our thoughts and desires, and other people and events seem to have nothing to do with it. And that if it were so, then many more children would get cancer, certainly all the refuseniks. I still remember that hell, honestly, with leukemia it was easier than with this damn feeling of guilt.”

— Anastasia, 42 years old

We published Anastasia's story (with some abbreviations) because it touched us very much. This is a clear example of how unsubstantiated claims can cause serious harm to a person. Fortunately, Anastasia came across a good specialist along the way. Please be careful and do not take responsibility for something that is not your fault. This can have a negative impact on both your mental health and your recovery process.

Folk remedies for stomach pain

You can help yourself at the body level. We offer several simple recipes.

• Dissolve 4 tablespoons of honey in two glasses of warm milk. Drink this mixture throughout the day.
• Drink slightly warmed cabbage juice 2 times a day, half a glass.
• Cut the birch bark and fill it with water at a temperature of 60 degrees. Let it brew. Drink three times a day. Sometimes it is recommended to drink a teaspoon of melted butter after juice.

These remedies are quite harmless and will help relieve pain. But don’t forget: if you continue to be irritated by what is happening in your life, gastritis and ulcers will not go away or will develop into other diseases. When your stomach hurts, psychosomatics and a table of diseases will tell you what you need to work with on the mental level. I wish you a healthy stomach and a new, happy life!

How psychology can help in the treatment of cancer

As we have already found out, the psychological background is important not only for successful treatment, but also for subsequent life. Therefore, in many countries there are entire programs aimed at psychological adaptation and support for people with cancer. If you or your loved ones are not included in such a program, try to find a good specialist, psychologist or psychotherapist who can provide emotional support. There are also self-help methods. It is important to use them only simultaneously with the main treatment. For example:

1. Music therapy, during which you can sing and play various musical instruments, shows good results. At the same time, it is not necessary to do it well; the main thing is to participate in the process yourself, and not just listen. Such activities reduce anxiety, pain, fatigue, and reduce breathing and heart rate. [14]
2. Physical exercises, such as yoga, improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. [15] Moderate exercise may also be recommended for children. [16]
3. Normalization of nutrition, daily routine, quality sleep and rest. Teaching the basics of a healthy lifestyle to some extent reduces fatigue, stress levels, anxiety, and improves quality of life. [17]
4. Behavioral therapy includes relaxation exercises, teaches self-regulation, visualization of images for distraction, and the formation of positive beliefs. This method can reduce nausea and vomiting in people undergoing chemotherapy and help reduce the subjective perception of pain. [9]

One of these methods is the 7Spsy behavior modification technology, a patented method of behavioral psychology based on the theories of I. P. Pavlov, B. F. Skinner, A. A. Ukhtomsky and others.

This course will help reduce stress, relieve anxiety, and create positive attitudes. Improved emotional well-being, in turn, can have a positive effect on the treatment process.

7Spsy technology is an auxiliary program and cannot replace drug treatment and consultation with an oncologist. But it can be a good helper on the path to recovery.

The course can be completed remotely, at any convenient time and in a convenient place. You can exercise every day without wasting time on the road. Our psychologists will support you and answer all your questions by phone, online chats or e-mail.

We guarantee complete confidentiality and psychological support.

The influence of speech habits

In relation to diarrhea, psychoanalysts often consider the influence of harmful word forms. A word is no less powerful than a thought or emotion. It has been noticed that adults and adolescents who often use curses and rude words in their speech are more likely than others to suffer from bowel disorders. If such verbiage is not eliminated from speech, hemorrhoids may develop (and medical statistics fully confirm the connection between frequent diarrhea and varicose hemorrhoidal veins). The most severe consequence for those who quarrel may be the development of tumors in the rectal area.