How does an ulcer form from a lot of stress?

I've been under tremendous amounts of stress because I'm too hard on myself, and I always try too hard to exceed people's expectations, and I also can't help but make huge deals out of the smallest things, and that sucks a lot. -_-

I keep having nervous breakdowns (or something resembling that) whenever I skate because I can't do a certain thing as well as I used to, or I'm just really impatient with myself since I have a major competition in less than a month. I can't seem to calm myself down unless I stop and force myself to take deep breaths and not cry (which I still do, but barely any, just enough to take off some stress).

I was working with my coach the other day and she said if I keep doing this to myself I was going to get an ulcer before I'm 14.

My question is, how does that happen, and should I be seeking help or listening to self motivation tapes (like my coach's dad made her do when she skated)?

ulcers occur when your stomach produces more acid than mucus. since mucus is a protective lining for your stomach when your body produces too much acid it begins to eat at the stomach lining. this causes ulcers to form...also known as holes in your stomach. when you get stressed you begin to develop allot of acid in your stomach as if anticipating something

I found this interesting article on the webmd website. Hope this answers your question. Good Luck on your competition!

Peptic Ulcer Disease - Cause

The two most common causes of peptic ulcer disease are infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Although many people are infected with H. pylori bacteria, only a few of them will develop peptic ulcer disease. Certain factors make a person with an H. pylori infection more likely to get an ulcer. Some of these factors, not all of which are well understood, include:

* The use of certain medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or other NSAIDs.
* Smoking.
* Excessive alcohol use.
* Prior history of ulcers.
* Physical stress caused by a severe illness or injury (such as a major trauma, the need to be on a ventilator to assist breathing, or surgery).

Most peptic ulcers that are not caused by an H. pylori infection are caused by the use of NSAIDs. NSAIDs may be prescribed to control pain or inflammation caused by long-term (chronic) diseases such as arthritis or headaches. When used for weeks or months, NSAIDs can damage the lining of the digestive tract, causing an ulcer or making an existing ulcer worse.

A rare cause of peptic ulcers is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In this condition, the stomach greatly overproduces acid, damaging the stomach lining.

Although there is no evidence to prove that emotional or mental stress causes ulcers, it does seem to make ulcers worse in some people. But the connection is still controversial. And there are no specific recommendations for using counseling or psychotherapy to treat peptic ulcers.