[INFJ] INFJ & bowel issues

[meowington]

When I do accidentally glutenize myself, such as times where I might take a chance on eating something in a restaurant and trusting it's not contaminated, I am ill for a few days, it's that dramatic.

Oh boy, that does sound dramatic. I feel you, though I can only imagine the discomfort you went through.
Good to hear you have it under control.
In my case I'm only talking about having the D once a day for a few days straight. This recurs every 2 weeks or so, which is still too frequent for me. I never have urges to go more than once, and never "unexpected" though.

I will take everyone's advice into account and I really consider the blood test (do normal family doctors do that test ? or do I need gastroentologist ?).
The one thing is that I just stepped away from weeks of being a total hypochondriac and left that behind me, that this might not be the best idea for me now.

 

[PeaceBaby]

Oh boy, that does sound dramatic. I feel you, though I can only imagine the discomfort you went through.
Good to hear you have it under control.
In my case I'm only talking about having the D once a day for a few days straight. This recurs every 2 weeks or so, which is still too frequent for me. I never have urges to go more than once, and never "unexpected" though.

I will take everyone's advice into account and I really consider the blood test (do normal family doctors do that test ? or do I need gastroentologist ?).
The one thing is that I just stepped away from weeks of being a total hypochondriac and left that behind me, that this might not be the best idea for me now.

You'll feel when it's right. I used to be more like that pattern until the infection. Normal family Dr can order the test.

I should also mention that you could be lactose intolerant, that can cause intermittent D as well. If you drink a glass of milk, how does your digestion react?

 

[meowington]

I should also mention that you could be lactose intolerant, that can cause intermittent D as well. If you drink a glass of milk, how does your digestion react?

You're reading my *hypochondriac* mind ! I was skipping lactose the last 2 weeks. But symptoms came up anyway. I know, I should give it more time, be very strict etc. but really I need to give it a rest in terms of looking for things that are -in my case- probably not there.

Cloudpatrol posted a list on stress & mbti a while ago and IBS was exclusively mentioned for INFJs. Ofcourse not only INFJs have IBS. There are more INTx's in my family with similar issues (so genetics definitely plays it part as always). I also read somewhere that IBS is more prevalent for conscientious type of people, which probably comes down to the same thing (INFJs, INTJs, ...) and definitely goes for me.

If things worsen celiac blood test is on the list, or lactose. But like I said : I have 3 weeks of holidays now and things usually get a lot better then. Which is undoubtedly another sign that this is, in my case, more related to stress, emotions, the subconscious or, hence the thread title, personality in general.

Thx

 

[93JC]

93JC seems the kind of guy who laughs at people in wheelchairs. Shouldn't have said that, but I did.

I don't laugh.

But sometimes I park in handicapped spaces while handicapped people make handicapped faces.

Seriously though, you're trying to correlate personality type with susceptibility to bowel disorders. Like, come on. Let's get real here, people.

 

[Lexicon]

Stress can absolutely screw with your physical health, but I doubt specific diseases of any sort can be directly linked to MBTI type. Any type may internalize stress & have it manifest in the form of a medical condition, eventually. That's just how the human body works.

I can't speak for any other INFJ's, but I've never had any serious bowel issues. I've got a pretty epic list of other medical issues, but none related to GI conditions.


[MENTION=4299]meowington[/MENTION] - have you had a colonoscopy/endoscopy/capsule endoscopy done? They can reveal quite a bit of useful information. People hype those procedures up/make them sound really invasive/scary/painful, but everyone I know personally that experienced it had a really easy time. Keeping a consistent meal/toilet habit diary helps, too (I just made a friend do this after a massive GI infection & subsequent hospitalization). Seems gross/redundant, but the info can be useful at follow up exams with a specialist.

Just some ideas. I wish you luck in finding relief/management.

 

[meowington]

Seriously though, you're trying to correlate personality type with susceptibility to bowel disorders. Like, come on. Let's get real here, people.

At last...context

I don't know why that idea seems so ludacrous to you because I'm not the first to mention it and won't be the last.
[INFJ] INFJs and psychosomatic illnesses

How Each MBTI Type Reacts to Stress (and How to Help!) - Psychology Junkie

When under stress, the INFJ feels fragmented or lost. They feel like they can’t be themselves, and feel an urge to act a part to “survive” or fit in. This disassociation can cause physical symptoms for the INFJ, like headaches, IBS, or nausea. The repressed feelings they’re holding onto can cause them to become immobilized. If they are under chronic extreme stress, they may fall into the grip of their inferior function, extraverted sensing. When this happens, they may engage in indulgent, self-destructive habits like binge-eating, cutting, over-exercising, alcoholism, or excessive pornography use. This often feels like an out-of-body experience to them. What they do provides no pleasure, but feels somewhat robotic and out of control. After this occurs, they dwell in self-hatred, falling even more into guilt over what they’ve done. They may become uncharacteristically angry and quick-tempered, unreasonable, and irrational. They may become obsessed with details in their outer world; obsessively cleaning or doing housework. They stumble over their words, and their intense feelings eventually lead them to a state of complete exhaustion.

I'm happy to read that not every INFJ has bowel issues (I wouldn't have expected it any different) but my gutfeeling tells me there is a statiscal corelation. As briefly mentioned earlier, I've seen an IBS study that shows a corelation with "conscientious" type of people.
Our bowels are sometimes refered to as the second brain, which is why I don't think it's farfetched. IBS is an issue with the autonomic nervous system (spasms or lack of).

have you had a colonoscopy/endoscopy/capsule endoscopy done? They can reveal quite a bit of useful information.

No, the 2 gastroentologists I've seen didn't find it necessary as they both were pretty certain of IBS. And I won't ask one either, not out of fear of the possible physical discomfort, but because I just spent months looking for things that aren't there, which in turn only seems to aggrevate the symptoms. It makes sense to me now that this is a psychosomatic illness and not strictly phyisical. Of course when things would dramatically get worse I would definitely consider more physical checkups but for the past decade this thing just comes and goes, usually in relation to my emotional state or levels of
stress.
Thx for the feedback. Hope your friend is ok.