Medical expert of the article

Gastroenterologist

New publications

Neurological and psychiatric causes of constipation

Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

A neuroreflexive act of extreme complexity occurs when a person performs the act of defecation. The sacral and lumbar parts of the brain (spinal) contribute to the implementation of the process of defecation. And here are the neurological and mental causes of constipation

trusted-source [ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Experiments and facts: constipation

There are 4 ventricles in the medulla oblongata, and the urge to go to the toilet is carried out in the area of its bottom. Our brain (head and spinal) controls the work of the entire intestine, therefore, disruptions in the work of the central and peripheral systems come down to the fact that a person has poor digestion of food and constipation occurs.

If you have ever injured your back, in particular, your spinal cord, you may experience frequent constipation and problems with your stool. If a person is confined to a wheelchair, he or she has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by regular and complex constipation. Sclerosis, osteochondrosis and back diseases are obvious causes of constipation.

trusted-source [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Freud on constipation

Freud believed that in childhood people develop a high tendency to constipation. It has now been proven that in early childhood (children aged 3-5 years) the anus is a very sensitive and erogenous area. Children can deliberately hold on, not defecating, because they enjoy it when the accumulation of feces reaches its peak. In this case, the anus of children of this age is irritated and the little ones enjoy it. This is not bad at all when children behave this way, as they grow up this behavior passes, but frequent deliberate delays of feces can be the cause of constipation.

trusted-source [ 12 ]

What do adults suffer from?

Adults may suffer from constipation due to several reasons: unsanitary toilets, late awakening from sleep, general depression, a feeling of shame in public toilets (at work, etc.), fussiness in the morning. Teenagers and people who have manifestations of neuroticism are especially susceptible to constipation.

Constipation may indicate mental disorders of a person, depression, if you are constantly in an irritating environment, constipation occurs. Everyone faces failures and disappointments, these are problems at work, in the family, in school, relationships with the opposite sex (failures in personal life). A depressed state is not a positive sign for the prosperity of health. Conflicts can accompany problems with defecation.

Visit to the doctor

If you go to the doctor with an obvious problem - constipation, explain to him clearly your emotional state recently, whether you have had any strong irritants in recent days, and only then will the doctor be able to provide qualified assistance, having thoroughly examined your problem.