In this month’s Psychosomatic Conversations, we’re going back to the body and exploring something we all experience but rarely talk openly about: bowel movements.
Linda Thackray, Sean Jago, and I look at constipation, diarrhea, sticky bowel movements, and hemorrhoids through a psychosomatic lens. Rather than treating these symptoms as problems to judge or quickly fix, we invite you to become curious about what your body may be trying to communicate.
How do you hold stress in your body? What feels difficult to release? And what happens physically when you don’t feel safe enough to let go?
I share a client example that illustrates how unexpressed emotions can create tension and holding in the lower abdomen. Sean explores the body’s natural need to “let life through,” as well as how early experiences may shape our relationship with safety, control, holding on, and letting go. We also discuss how anger, fear, emotional suppression, and a lack of safety may be reflected in digestive and pelvic patterns.
The purpose of this conversation is not to assign one emotional meaning to every physical symptom. Our bodies and our experiences are far more individual than that. Instead, we hope to help you approach your symptoms with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to listen.
Your body is always communicating. When we slow down, reconnect, and create enough safety to pay attention, our physical patterns may offer valuable insight into the emotional experiences we are carrying.
This is Part 2 of our three-part Back to the Body series, exploring the connection between emotional stress, physical disturbance, and the messages our bodies may be inviting us to hear.