The psyche affects abdominal pain and our health more than you think
The Real Connection Between Psyche and Abdominal Pain
Everyone knows it. Important exams, a job interview, or an uncomfortable conversation – and suddenly the stomach acts up. Pressure, cramps, sometimes even diarrhea. Our digestive tract seems to be directly connected to emotions. And as it turns out, it really is. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the connection between mental health and physical issues – and specifically, abdominal pain caused by the psyche is becoming an important topic not only among doctors but also among people seeking a healthier lifestyle.
Gut and Brain – A Pair That Communicates More Often Than We Think
Scientists today increasingly talk about the so-called "gut-brain axis." It's a two-way communication that connects the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord) with the enteric nervous system, which controls the digestive tract. You could say that the gut has its own brain. And it can speak up when something is wrong – for example, when we're stressed, have long-term anxiety, or are troubled by suppressed emotions.
The psyche has a huge impact on the entire body, but the digestive system is one of its most sensitive tools. Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or diarrhea can be the result of psychological tension, even when the body is otherwise "fine." And that's why these issues are often so hard to diagnose. Doctors rule out celiac disease, Crohn's disease, infection – and finally conclude that the problem is of psychological origin.
How to Recognize When Abdominal Pain is Caused by the Psyche
One of the signals can be recurrent abdominal pain without any obvious physical cause. If a person is under stress for a long time, has anxieties, or faces strong emotional pressure, the body reacts. Often precisely in the area of the stomach and intestines. Sometimes diarrhea is added to this – typical, for example, during stage fright or before an important decision. This phenomenon, often referred to as "nervous stomach," is a natural body response to stressful stimuli.
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People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often experience a combination of symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation – all without any identifiable biological cause. Research shows that in these patients, the psychological component is one of the key factors. For instance, according to a study published in the journal Gut, up to 60% of patients with IBS are also diagnosed with some form of anxiety or depressive disorder.
A Story We Know From Our Own Experience
Jana, a thirty-three-year-old manager from Prague, struggled for a long time with abdominal pain that appeared especially in the morning before going to work. "I felt like my stomach was about to explode. I felt nauseous, often had diarrhea. But tests showed nothing," she recalls. It was only when she started therapy that she discovered that the cause of her condition was long-term stress from an unsatisfactory job and constant pressure to perform. As soon as she changed her work environment and began working on her mental health, the problems largely subsided.
There are many such stories. Sometimes the body calls for help before the mind admits it. And precisely abdominal pain as a reflection of the state of psyche is one of these signals.
Why Stress Settles in the Stomach
Stress triggers a series of hormonal reactions in the body. The so-called HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) is activated, increasing the level of cortisol – the stress hormone. This affects not only heart rate or blood pressure but also intestinal motility, gastric juice production, and the sensitivity of nerve endings in the digestive tract.
What was once considered "just nervousness" now has a clear biological basis. And the longer stress lasts, the stronger the consequences – not only psychological but also physical. In addition to abdominal pain, it can involve weight changes, immune disorders, sleep disturbances, or chronic fatigue.
What Helps When Abdominal Pain is Due to Stress
Medications are not always the solution. If abdominal pain or diarrhea is triggered by the psyche, it's essential to focus mainly on lifestyle changes and mental hygiene. A good start can be:
- regular exercise (e.g., walking, yoga, swimming),
- quality sleep,
- limiting caffeine and alcohol,
- stress management techniques (e.g., mindfulness, breathing exercises),
- psychotherapy or working with a psychologist.
A very positive effect can also be achieved with a diet high in fiber and probiotics, which supports the natural gut microbiota – the "good" bacteria that affect not only digestion but also mood.
An interesting finding from recent research is that up to 90% of serotonin, sometimes called the "happiness hormone," is produced in the gut. This only confirms how closely mental and physical health are connected.
When It Is Necessary to See a Doctor
It's important to realize that not every abdominal pain originates in the psyche. If the pain is severe, lasts long-term, or is accompanied by other symptoms like blood in the stool, vomiting, or sudden weight loss, it's crucial to see a doctor. Similarly, if problems persist despite lifestyle changes and working on mental health.
But in cases where physical tests reveal no visible cause and the pain occurs during stressful periods, it is more than likely that the soul is finding a way to speak up.
Our Body Is Not Separate From Our Mind
In today's world, where mental well-being is increasingly being talked about as the key to overall health, it's time to also give space to those signals that come from within. Abdominal pain caused by stress or the psyche is not a weakness, but proof that body and mind form a single whole.
As the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said: "Every real knowledge originates in pain." And sometimes that pain comes precisely from the stomach.
