Causes of Diarrhea: Stress & Anxiety

How Your Mood Can Affect Diarrhea

We conducted an in-depth study of over 2,000 sufferers of frequent acute diarrhea from over 14 different countries. They shared their experiences with us. In the U.S., 25% of frequent acute diarrhea sufferers indicated that nerves, anxiety, or stress were the cause of their diarrhea. Stress can take its toll on the digestive system.

How To Deal with Stress

We all get stressed now and then. Sometimes diarrhea can be your body’s way of telling you that you’re under pressure — but diarrhea can also make life even more difficult.

To help manage stress, try guided breathing exercises or other meditative techniques¹. Maintaining good health with a balanced diet and physical activity can also help to stabilize mood².

Read our tips on how to deal with stress.

Gut Health and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety may also affect your gut health due to what is known as the gut-brain connection³.

Stress and diarrhea often go hand in hand because mood can cause changes in gut bacteria, resulting in digestive problems⁴. Likewise, gut issues can send signals to your brain and affect your mood³. Discomfort from diarrhea can also become a source of stress.

To manage gut issues and anxiety or stress, try improving your gut health by maintaining a healthy diet that is beneficial for gut bacteria⁵.

Learn more about how to improve your gut health.

It’s Quite Normal To Experience Stress

Having diarrhea can be stressful in and of itself, especially if you’re already feeling under pressure. IMODIUM^® products contain an active ingredient called loperamide, which works to help restore your digestive system to its normal pace — giving you one less thing to feel anxious about. If symptoms persist for more than two days or get worse, consult your healthcare professional.