jr2 wrote:Well, stress can definitely have a big impact on the GI tract and you do have a lot of stress going on right now. Are these GI symptoms something entirely new for you? Is there anything that makes it worse or better? Does this discomfort wake you up in the middle of the night or are you free from the symptoms while you are sleeping? Did the diarrhea and abdominal discomfort accompany any kind of change in your diet or are you using stool softeners or fiber supplements? Did the bowel symptoms coincide with the fissure? Do you have blood in your stool? Are you having increased frequency in the number of times you go in a day?
What you are experiencing is more than likely due to anxiety, but only a checkup with your doctor can tell for sure. There are people who have perianal Crohn's disease that shows up as fissures, but you would probably have had a lot of GI problems in addition to the fissures if this was the case with you. There is also always the chance that you have some kind of GI infection or parasites, but again only a doctor can screen you for this with stool testing. If it would help your anxiety it probably is worth a trip to the doctor for your peace of mind.

jr2 wrote:Ok, so knowing that it really does sound like stress and anxiety and possibly the addition of the stool softener that are causing your GI symptoms. If you are able to get uninterrupted sleep without waking up in the middle of the night with diarrhea, and you find some relief from the Xanax it points away from something infectious or Crohn's disease and points more toward stress.
Having a fissure and being unemployed are stressful situations. If you have anything that helps you with anxiety like a hobby, reading, music, a hot bath, meditation or prayer, slow gentle walks, etc., it is an essential time to turn to these kinds if things to help you reduce your stress levels.