Need help to stop worrying about toilet issues

[phil06]

For well over a year I've become obsessed with my bowel and urinary system. It started out after a driving test I failed and shortly before job interviews I'd get the urge to go. I've had loose stools, going 5 times a day, feeling the urge to urinate, even lately constipation.

I keep thinking about these symptoms and when I do immediately they worsen. I keep worrying about "maybe it's an undetected illness". I just can't get the idea out my head when I leave the house what if I need, what if I wet myself health worries have been about everything related to the toilet.

So maybe it's alot of anxiety. I just need to be free of that toilet being my comfort zone. Anybody else had this in the past and what's a therapist's view on it? How do you get your life back? I'm getting these issues in the same way a panic attack would form. Instead I get less panic but more of these issues at the moment.

I'm quite unmotivated when it comes to proper sleep and relaxation so do I need to try harder? How can I get over this and get my normal life back? At the moment a normal toilet trip causes anxiety, like most of them do.

[Pipkin]

Phil,

I'm very similar and am also interested in what other people think of this. I find it really stressful and it's infuriating to me as I know most people don't give it a second thought.

How can something so mundane cause us do much grief?

Full sympathy from me.

Take care

Pip x

[Shellbell80]

Hi, I have a friend who suffered the same thing have you tried CBT??? it is really good at changing your thought patterns and recognizing them, which has helped my friend allot and so is now able to leave the house without worrying and the symptoms have reduced too ??? worth a try ???

[Pipkin]

Yep Shell, it's definitely a brain training thing. I think you've got a point.

Pip x

[Shellbell80]

Defo cbt for dummies is a good start because
Some people can wait ages for an appointment
But I have read it and highly recommend it that way
You can take things at your own pace x

[Pipkin]

Thanks Shell - good tip and I'm going to have a look at that book. I didn't know it existed.

Pip

[Shellbell80]

Its really good check it out x

[phil06]

Defo cbt for dummies is a good start because
Some people can wait ages for an appointment
But I have read it and highly recommend it that way
You can take things at your own pace x

I have that book not found much to help with my symptom though.

Problem is I get days like last night and today where I feel incomplete, get a few bowel trips and sit all night feeling uncomfortable..and the anxiety keeps going round and round.

[Pipkin]

Me too Phil - exactly the same, when my anxiety's at its worst. Not too bad at the moment as my meds are working well.

Pip x

[dan1234]

I had this years ago. Exposure is what is required. There is a drug called oxybutynin which helped. A 2 week course completley stopped the urge to urinate.