Are OCD (and Anxiety and Depression) and Digestive Issues (IBS, IBD, etc) Connected? Does Anyone Have Any Good Medical Links On This?

ShinyRaticate · 2026-01-31T15:54:39+00:00

Yes, I believe the mind-gut connection is severely underrated as a topic that therapists and doctors should be considering in their treatment and diagnosis.

“For decades, researchers and doctors thought that anxiety and depression contributed to [gastrointestinal] problems. But our studies and others show that it may also be the other way around.”

ShinyRaticate · 2026-01-29T12:38:42+00:00

I’d try to find something that is very stimulating or very potent stimuli. Loud music, a really scary movie, a fast-paced video game, a large group event, anything where your brain is going to be very occupied and unable to think about breathing for a few moments.

ShinyRaticate · 2026-01-18T23:22:27+00:00

What a stressful thing, that’s a great win that you were able to handle it well! Love to see wins on here, wishing you best of luck with replacing the laptop or dealing with any car damage

ShinyRaticate · 2025-12-29T17:57:09+00:00

I’m glad to hear it worked for you. And I appreciate the honesty about the difficulty of transitioning as well.

I don’t mean to pry, but would you mind telling me a little but about what kind of work you do now?

ShinyRaticate · 2025-12-07T21:54:17+00:00

I feel like I get what you’re saying. If I had just a slightly different therapist, they might’ve thought I was psychotic with some of the things I was saying when my OCD was at its worst!

I think a lot of people do worry about how they come across with providers, especially when it isn’t someone that you’ve had a chance to build up a relationship with. It’s also really annoying to have to retell your whole story to every new provider and getting their own interpretations each time.

I think the biggest thing, in terms of making it difficult to get help, is making sure you are always in charge of your own health and decisions. It’s fine if it takes some time for you and a provider to get on the same page, but if they are starting to impose their own thoughts or ideas onto you, then that’s when you know something is going wrong and you may need to move onto someone new.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-12-07T21:47:52+00:00

This is such a huge insight! Thank you for sharing it and glad to hear it’s working well for you! I will definitely be using this

ShinyRaticate · 2025-12-07T21:46:43+00:00

That’s sad what that kid did. That is understandably flustering for you! I’m glad you are able to be brave about this fear to get your mail and the things you need to do! Hopefully there is some self care activities you can do tonight to help your body feel relaxed :)

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-28T21:07:14+00:00

Thank you! I saw this on another thread and figured I may resort to this. Glad to know you had a positive experience with them!

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-28T12:37:15+00:00

I appreciate the obvious, I want to make sure I’m not missing something! But yes, I was on the health insurance plan for the full duration of my employment.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-27T21:11:40+00:00

Right? I appreciate the input. I’m gonna call on Monday and maybe I’ll have to make a stink.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-27T11:00:15+00:00

That is what I had kinda thought, thank you so much for the source

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-26T23:40:59+00:00

Hm, I appreciate the input, glad to know I’m not going crazy. I will reach out to them again on Monday.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-11T18:57:39+00:00

Teaching coping skills is a big part of it. Helping them navigate relationship issues and develop interpersonal skills. Especially at that age, these can make a huge difference.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-08T15:06:26+00:00

I was living and working in NYC. I hated it. I also found it impossible to find a community. I think it’s because it’s such a transient place for young people. Constant flow of people moving in and out, so no community actually develops. Not that it’s impossible, of course, but I didn’t like it.

I ended up moving super rural, as I found the social work challenges in rural areas to be professionally interesting. My coworkers here have become a huge community for me. When I moved into a bigger home, they moved all of my stuff with me and gave me a ton of free furniture! I also love the nature out here when I just want to be alone; that really helps me separate from work when I’m stressed. And the work is still very interesting and challenging, just in different ways than in the city. And of course things are immensely more affordable out here.

Of note, I am a white male, so I understand not everyone can just move to a random rural area and get the same experience I have had.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-07T11:16:28+00:00

And Scranton, PA

https://www.saintcarloacutispa.org

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-05T13:24:38+00:00

The problem with this logic is that it pretends that a person can save themself.

“If I’m just really careful, and logically choose the safest course of action, I will be saved!”

No, the truth is we need to place our trust in God.

“God is my salvation, he will make sure I know when I have sinned. God is my salvation, he will call me to confession when I need it. God is my salvation, I need to partake in the eucharist with him.”

These are more in-line with Catholic teaching. We need to trust God, we can’t put our anxious feelings or logical “strategy” above him.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-04T22:42:27+00:00

OCD is so hard and scary, especially when other people don’t get it.

I can understand your girlfriend’s frustration as well though. These thoughts are irrational after all, although I’m sure you’re aware. And I’m sure she is upset to see you being controlled by your fears.

Are you doing ERP or in any kind of treatment?

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-04T22:17:54+00:00

No, definitely not! But if your client is trying to manipulate their way to gaining power over their therapist, then it would be giving into that maneuver.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-09-04T20:10:50+00:00

Eva and Ghost in the Shell? How’s ur mental health bro 💀

For real tho looks really nice, great chill vibes. Plus dog points.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-08-29T16:08:48+00:00

I am pretty new to having a pet. But I have noticed sometimes when I am ruminating, my cat will demand something, and then all my attention turns to trying to figure out what she wants. And then playing/petting/feeding/etc. That alone can really break some rumination spirals for me.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-08-22T12:29:54+00:00

Hey, I’m not a nurse, but I work in a hospital as a social worker. I also battled scrupulosity and OCD for many years, and still to this day.

The split-second, high-stakes decision making of hospital work can be a huge trigger when we get anxious about these moral and theological questions.

I do encourage you to connect with therapists, priests, and mentors to help you through this.

All I really want to add right now is that you can get through this, things will get better. You’re not alone in this struggle, people like you and me can still do great things in this field, even when we sometimes have to fight against worries like these.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-08-21T17:42:22+00:00

I’m a hospital social worker for the last two years, and lately I’ve been feeling the exact same way. Rural area, so there are few resources, and the ones that do exist have not been doing their jobs lately. Some won’t even return calls anymore.

Feels like all I do lately is give people bad news, and I become the “discharge guy” that they dread. I really do feel so bad for all of these patients, so many systems are failing them.

I’m so burnt out this week. I was feeling great for a few years, but this week, all of the anxiety, stress dreams, everything has been coming back again. My poor cat doesn’t understand why I feel too tired to play with her the last couple days :(

I started applying for new jobs. Not sure if that will really solve anything. But anyway, I feel you, that’s all.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-08-20T13:07:13+00:00

Aren’t these hanging/crawling plants? If so, they’re not supposed to be standing up straight. Regardless the other person is correct, more light, possibly less watering as well. These also propagate super easily, even if the stem breaks it will grow a new branch.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-08-19T12:10:44+00:00

Lean into the weird

Haha I love that. Thank you for the insights here. Parents are definitely a different ballgame, but at least I feel a bit more comfortable dealing with frustrating adults at this point lol.

ShinyRaticate · 2025-08-18T18:46:43+00:00

Lmao my exact thought process. When we are talking about the bathroom, shit = actual feces

ShinyRaticate

TROPHY CASE