Let me skip straight to the end so you can breathe easy: Yes, I got my sanity back... and I got free from the shackles of chronic digestive issues. Yay!
And no, it wasn’t because of some fancy diet you’ve already researched to death, a magical supplement, or endless rounds of testing.
I “fixed” my gut (using that word for simplicity) by addressing the real root of my symptoms and learning how to eat, live, and think in a way that let my body return to its natural state of health. But that’s a whole different story for another day.
What I really want to talk about today is the honest mental hell I went through when my gut issues were at their worst – and what I wish I had known back then.
Picture this: Panic attacks. Extreme mood swings. Depressive waves that would knock me flat. Crying in the bathroom after days of not being able to go #2. Feeling gross, bloated, and literally full of shit.
I’m not exaggerating. Not even a little.
"Because when your gut is off, it doesn't just mess with your digestion -it messes with your mind. That's the gut-brain connection at work."
Here’s something you should know about me: I’m a highly sensitive person. I feel everything deeply, all the time. A lot of my clients are the same (even if they don’t realize it yet). So maybe my symptoms hit my mental health harder than they would for some people. But at the end of the day, that doesn’t matter.
I felt miserable. And because I felt miserable, my “gut issues” stopped being just gut issues.
Within about six months they had spilled into my mental health, school, body confidence, motivation, and relationships.
The extra frustrating part? Most people didn’t get why my “stomach problems” were such a big deal. That made me feel dramatic and self-conscious, which only fed the nasty inner dialogue even more.
What I didn’t know then (but I know now and teach every woman I work with) is that those intense, shitty feelings weren’t just “in my head.” They were largely mental manifestations of a physical imbalance.
Why does this matter so much?
If you don’t realize your gut is influencing your mood and thoughts, you end up making decisions from a place of anxiety, overwhelm, or depression. But once you understand that your mind is partly being controlled by your messed-up gut, you can start taking some power back right now. You don’t have to let the negative thoughts run the show.
It’s easier said than done, I know. But I’ve watched women go from feeling like their
“unsolvable” gut issues and crippling anxiety were permanent… to feeling genuine hope and excitement again the moment they started seeing those dark moods as symptoms, not as who they are.
That shift mattered. A big reason I was finally able to heal was because I let myself get excited about the possibility of relief. That energy carried me through the process and led me to where I am today – free from the trap and constant control of gut issues.
So here’s what I want you to hear:
- Feeling like your whole life and mood revolve around your gut (whether it’s IBS, IBD, chronic bloating, constipation, or mystery symptoms) is not you “being too sensitive.” I was right there with you.
- That anxiety, depression, and moodiness can be heavily influenced by the gut-brain connection. Your moods aren’t always “you” – they’re often a symptom. Don’t let them make big decisions for you.
- You are not alone and you are not crazy. Gut issues turn into body issues, mind issues, and life issues. When you get control of your gut, freedom in your body, mind, and life follows.
If you are ready to get out of gut insanity, I gottchew babe!!
