[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/07\/ibd-and-stress\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/07\/ibd-and-stress\/","headline":"IBD and Stress: What’s the Connection?","name":"IBD and Stress: What’s the Connection?","description":"Living with IBD takes a toll on your mental health. It's normal to have stress, but too much might worsen your symptoms and make your IBD  harder to manage.","datePublished":"2021-07-02","dateModified":"2025-12-18","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","name":"Digestive Disorders","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/digestive-disorders\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iStock-1214479358-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/iStock-1214479358-1.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/07\/ibd-and-stress\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":710,"articleBody":"If you live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), its toll on your mental health likely includes stress. Although that\u2019s normal, too much stress can impact your IBD symptoms, making them more difficult to manage.Here\u2019s more on stress and IBD, and tips for keeping both in check.Does Stress Cause IBD?There\u2019s no proof that stress by itself causes IBD. Doctors aren\u2019t sure what causes IBD, an autoimmune disease that damages your digestive tract and produces painful symptoms. But the right combination of\u00a0the following risk factors\u00a0is a possible cause:Changes in your gut microbiome (the bacteria in your digestive tract).Environmental exposures, particularly cigarette smoke.Frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen.Genetics.History of antibiotic use.Overactive immune system.That said, chronic stress can contribute to changes in your microbiome and how your immune system works. Those changes may increase your risk of developing IBD, especially if you have other risk factors.Stress and IBD SymptomsPeople with IBD often report feelings of anxiety and stress. This can make it tough to know which came first \u2014 the IBD or the stress.Stress is your body\u2019s normal response\u00a0to a potential threat. Your brain signals an alarm, sending your body into \u201cfight or flight\u201d mode. Hormones increase your heart rate and blood pressure and tense your muscles to fight off the threat.Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at one time or another. It\u2019s also not unusual to experience stress when you\u2019re not feeling well or you\u2019re anxious.But when you have IBD, feeling nervous, on edge, or worried about the future can become constant. After all, IBD symptoms \u2014 like severe belly pain and diarrhea \u2014 may\u00a0interfere with work\u00a0or your daily life, relationships, and routines. About 35% of people with IBD develop clinically significant anxiety.How stress affects IBDUnfortunately, chronic stress may cause your IBD symptoms to flare more often. That\u2019s because the stress response also affects your digestive tract, causing it to tense up and contract. This can lead to more urgency, diarrhea, or constipation.Chronic stress can also make it harder to manage IBD because:You might become less likely to take your medicines on schedule.You might feel hopeless and unable to manage your health.Your chances of needing surgery might increase.So, living with IBD and chronic stress can pull you into a vicious cycle of negative emotions and more frequent symptoms.How to Manage Stress When You Have IBDIt\u2019s possible to manage IBD-related stress and anxiety. Doing so can improve your quality of life, lessen your symptoms, and even reduce the risk of relapse. Your UPMC health care team includes behavioral health specialists who can\u00a0teach you techniques\u00a0to put the brakes on stress.There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all solution to managing stress, so you have to try a few techniques before finding what works best for you. Some techniques that can help you cope with anxiety and reduce stress include:Anxiety medicine or antidepressants (if necessary).Breath work or diaphragmatic \u201cbelly\u201d breathing.Cognitive behavioral therapy (working with a therapist).Guided meditation or hypnotherapy.Positive self-talk (reframing negative thoughts or worries).Regular moderate exercise.Yoga or tai chi.You might also think about joining a\u00a0support group. IBD is an isolating disease. Knowing others who can personally relate to your situation may help you feel less stressed.Remember, you\u2019re not alone. Your UPMC health care team includes a wide range of specialists ready to support you every step of the way.About\u00a0Digestive DisordersUPMC Digestive Health Care\u00a0cares for a wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and diseases, from diagnosis to treatment. Whether your digestive condition is common or complex, our experts can help.Upon referral from your physician, we coordinate your testing and treatment. If you have a complicated condition, we can refer you to one of UPMC\u2019s digestive health centers of excellence.\u00a0Find a GI doctor near you.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 2, 2021, and was last reviewed on December 18, 2025.SourcesCells. Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Stressed \u201cGut\/Feeling\" LINKFrontiers in Pediatrics.  Stress Triggers Flare of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children and Adults. LINKCrohn's and Colitis Foundation. Depression and Anxiety.  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