For a long time, I didn't know anything about the causes of my problems or that nervous system dysregulation was driving that big, heavy bus. Your inclusion of that in your earlier post has the potential to benefit anyone reading this thread who hasn't yet come across that material. In my case, understanding that my problems were an understandable result of that dyregulation -- rather than failings of intelligence, morality, common sense -- eased some awful self-concepts I had around that. Crucially, that info also helped me finally pull away from conventionally trained therapists, none of whom ever helped much, and toward a more up-to-date therapist trained in somatically based methods & well-versed in nervous system aspects, incl polyvagal theory.

I know very little about the impact of gut issues, aside from being increasingly amazed by what I read about that. I'm not in CA but wonder if the psychiatrist you know might have similarly minded colleagues in NM or CO for referral. Please PM or post the name here if you think that's OK & get the chance. Thx & I appreciate you sharing your own challenges & perspective.