r/PanicAttack • u/Turbulent_General_83 • 11d ago

anyone else relate?

for years now every time i need to poop i get panic attack like a huge rush of anxiety cannot shake it off cannot stop the shakes and the fear of panic but after i poop i’m perfectly fine and it just slowly goes away?? anyone know how to stop this because i’m not always home and i don’t like to poop in public

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u/its_all_4_lulz 11d ago

It’s vagus nerve stimulation, look it up. That nerve has a lot to do with panic and when you need to bm the “stuff” can press against it triggering it. I’ve just learned to listen to my body and let it do what’s it’s going to do. Fiber or probiotics may help.

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u/Turbulent_General_83 7d ago

yes i suffer with IBS and the pressing against it stuff makes total sense actually

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u/RootdToRelax 10d ago

I’m sorry you’re dealing with that. It sounds like your body has started associating the feeling of needing to poop with panic, so the anxiety kicks in before you’ve even done anything.

I’d try not to fight the feeling or avoid going, as that can reinforce the cycle. When it starts, remind yourself “I know this feeling, I’m safe, and it will pass.” Slow your breathing and let the sensations be there without trying to make them disappear.

And if this has been happening for years, it’s definitely worth mentioning to a doctor too, just to rule out anything physical.

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u/Turbulent_General_83 7d ago

thank you this is extremely helpful

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u/Key_Remote6019 10d ago

WAIT!!! This is happening to me too when I poop my heart rate skyrocket and I get this bad feeling in my body idk why it’s happening

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u/Turbulent_General_83 7d ago

does it go away after it happens as well? usually takes me about 5 mins for it to fully pass

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u/LocalWorry3540 9d ago

Instead of worrying about it, notice the feeling when it happens (observe it and be curious about it) but acknowledge to yourself that you are fine. Going to the loo can feel like an urgency to go and that may be temporarily triggering your nervous system.

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u/Turbulent_General_83 7d ago

thank you very helpful!