The Connection Between Mental Health, Digestive Discomfort, and Trauma from Scams

The Connection Between Mental Health, Digestive Discomfort, and Trauma from Scams

Principal Category: Somatic/Physical Effects Of Trauma

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Victims of scams often experience emotional trauma that can lead to physical symptoms, particularly digestive issues/digestive discomfort like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The stress and anxiety caused by the scam activate the gut-brain axis, disrupting normal digestive functions and worsening conditions like bloating, pain, and inflammation. Emotional distress can trigger or intensify symptoms, creating a cycle where stress and digestive problems feed into each other. Addressing both mental and physical health through therapy, stress management, dietary changes, and medical care is essential for recovery and improving quality of life for scam victims.

The Connection Between Mental Health, Digestive Discomfort, and Trauma from Scams

Mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected, especially when it comes to stress, anxiety, and the digestive system. People who have been victimized by scams often experience trauma, which can manifest in both emotional and physical symptoms. Among the physical symptoms, digestive discomfort, and in some cases, conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can arise or worsen due to the emotional toll of the experience.

How Trauma Affects the Gut & Digestive Discomfort

When someone experiences a traumatic event, such as being victimized by a scam, the body reacts by entering a heightened state of stress that can cause Digestive Discomfort. The brain releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline as part of the “fight or flight” response. While this reaction is useful in acute situations, prolonged stress can have negative consequences on the body, especially on the digestive system.

The gut and the brain are closely connected through what is known as the gut-brain axis, a complex communication network that links the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with intestinal functions. When the brain is under stress, it can send signals to the gut that disrupt normal digestive processes producing digestive discomfort. These disruptions can lead to symptoms such as:

• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Changes in appetite

For scam victims dealing with trauma, these symptoms can become persistent, creating a significant reduction in quality of life. Emotional distress from the scam, such as feelings of shame, guilt, or anger, can exacerbate these physical symptoms, making recovery even more challenging.

Trauma and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

While the exact cause of IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is not fully understood, stress and trauma are known to worsen the symptoms of these conditions. People with IBD who are also dealing with the emotional aftermath of a scam may experience more frequent flare-ups or more severe symptoms during periods of stress.

Research indicates that psychological stress can trigger inflammatory responses in the body, leading to an increase in gastrointestinal inflammation in individuals with IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease is not caused by stress, but emotional trauma can make it more difficult to manage the disease and keep symptoms under control.

Scam Victims and Mental Health

Scam victims often suffer from significant mental health impacts, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The violation of trust, financial loss, and the feeling of being deceived can have long-lasting emotional effects. Victims may struggle with feelings of embarrassment or isolation, which can prevent them from seeking help.

The trauma of a scam can lead to a state of chronic stress. As this stress persists, it can contribute to the development or worsening of conditions like IBS or IBD. The combination of emotional and physical symptoms can create a cycle where the stress from the scam worsens digestive problems, and the discomfort from these problems in turn increases emotional distress.

Addressing Digestive Issues (Digestive Discomfort) and Mental Health After Trauma

For scam victims suffering from both emotional trauma and digestive discomfort, it’s important to address both aspects of their health. Ignoring either the emotional or physical side of the problem can lead to prolonged suffering.

Here are some strategies that may help:

Seeking Mental Health Support: Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be beneficial for scam victims dealing with trauma. Working with a therapist can help individuals process their feelings of loss, betrayal, and shame, reducing the emotional burden that exacerbates digestive issues.

Stress Management Techniques: Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help manage stress levels. Lowering stress can reduce the production of stress hormones that disrupt digestion.

Dietary Changes: For those experiencing IBS or IBD, dietary adjustments can help reduce symptoms. Consulting with a healthcare professional, such as a gastroenterologist or nutritionist, can help identify foods that trigger symptoms and create a plan to improve digestive health.

Medications: In some cases, medications may be needed to manage both the emotional and physical symptoms. Anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, or medications specifically for digestive conditions can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Support Providers: Victims of scams can benefit from sharing their experiences with others who have gone through similar situations. Online or in-person support groups offer a sense of community and can reduce the feelings of isolation that many scam victims experience.

Regular Physical Activity: Exercise has been shown to reduce stress and improve digestion. Regular physical activity, even if it’s light exercise, can have a positive effect on both mental health and gastrointestinal function.

Summary

The trauma of being victimized by a scam goes beyond emotional pain—it can also cause or worsen physical conditions such as Digestive Discomfort, IBS and IBD. The gut-brain connection plays a key role in this process, as stress and anxiety from the trauma can lead to digestive discomfort. Scam victims should seek comprehensive care that addresses both their mental and physical health to break the cycle of stress and discomfort. With the right support, victims can recover and manage their symptoms more effectively, improving their overall quality of life.

Please Leave Us Your Comment
Also, tell us of any topics we might have missed.

Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.

Recent Reader Comments

• on Psychological Denial – A Maladaptive Coping Mechanism In Scam Victims – 2024: “Shock and Disbelief was a big part of my initial response when I discovered I had been scammed. It lasted…” Sep 28, 09:54
• on Reductive Thinking – A Maladaptive Coping Mechanism – An Enemy Of Scam Victims Recovery – 2024: “Reductive thinking and minimizing certainty was tempting but it doesn’t take much to understand that recovery from being scammed is…” Sep 26, 10:17
• on Victim Complex/Victim Mentality In Relationship Scam Victims 2023: “Reading this article, helped me to understand my mother’s behavior. While she was alive, she manifested that her unhappiness was…” Sep 23, 12:07
• on Self-Hate Self-Assessment Test For Scam Victims: “I feel the same way. 10 months after my scam for me good luck to you with your continued recovery!” Sep 23, 10:33
• on Victim Complex/Victim Mentality In Relationship Scam Victims 2023: “I have a good friend who has a victim mentality and it’s difficult to help in any way. It’s sad…” Sep 22, 10:10

Important Information for New Scam Victims

Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School for FREE – visit www.SCARSeducation.org to register – FREE for scam victims/survivors If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 in the U.S. or Canada, or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

SCARS Resources:

• For New Victims of Relationship Scams www.ScamVictimsSupport.org
• Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School for FREE – visit www.SCARSeducation.org to register – FREE for scam victims/survivors
• Sign up for SCARS professional Support & Recovery Groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
• Find competent Trauma Counselors or Therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
• Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
• Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
• Learn More about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
• Scammer Photos on ScammerPhotos.com [Not Recommended for Recent Scam Victims]
• SCARS Videos youtube.AgainstScams.org
• Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
• Donate/Give to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org

A Note About Labeling!

We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology, neurology, and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in these articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also, please read our SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims – here

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.

-/ 30 /-

What do you think about this?

Please share your thoughts in a comment below!