Can Anxiety Cause Abdominal discomfort?

Hello all, I've suffered from GAD/PD for almost 2 horrible years and I also have OCD tendencies and racing thoughts. In March of this year I had some discomfort in my abdomen and went to the DR to have it checked. He took an Xray and told me I was constipated. Well stupid me goes on WebMD and looks up constipation and see that it's a symptom of colon cancer. So I immediately thought I had colon cancer. On my follow-up I told him of this and he said with my age (29) and with no family history there was no way with my symptoms that I could have CC. Fine, okay. Last monday I went to the bathroom and thought I saw blood in my stool (now I realize that it was not just some undigested carrot) I immediately had a rush of panic and it has turned into obsessive thought and OCD like actions like pressing on my lower abdomen until I feel pain and every little twinge I totally freak out. I've gone to colon cancer web sites and forums asking a gazillion questions as my friends and family. I have no pain when I pass stools or blood nor am I fatigued (anymore than usual) so logically I should just take the diagnosis and be a happy camper. Well yesterday after a week or so of anxiety I broke down and cried uncontrollably for a good hour. My wife called my doctor and I'm going in tomorrow. I've been on Celexa 40mg for a little over a year now and wonder if I may need an adjustment. Any thoughts or comments would really be appreciated! Thank you!

Jay

Well, yes, of course anxiety can cause abdominal pains. A lot of people with anxiety-related conditions also have a lot of secondary conditions like IBS, TMJ, etc. (and I have both). I get abdominal pain a lot, and I also tend to become constipated at times. Also, trace amounts of blood when you take a crap tend to happen on occasion, especially if you have IBS. I have had it before - keep in mind the rectum is very sensitive and I think everyone at some point or another will end up passing blood in their stools. Do you eat a lot of meat or anything like canned chili? That also can cause something like that.

definatly Jay.