Yes, stress can cause diarrhea.

When you’re stressed, chemical messengers carry signals from your brain to your gut. Your gut sometimes responds to these signals with physical symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, or constipation.

Everyone experiences stress, and everyone may occasionally experience stress diarrhea. If you’re experiencing chronic stress for a prolonged period, you may experience chronic bouts of diarrhea.

This link also works both ways. If you have digestive issues or other GI problems, you might experience psychological symptoms, which can make your digestive symptoms worse.

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C

Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie is an experienced physician assistant specializing in urgent care, family medicine, and gastroenterology. She has been a licensed physician assistant since 2001 and has clinical experience with all ages and in many environments.

Certifications

  • National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • Colorado State Physician Assistant License
  • DEA License

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