I'm going to upset some people here - but you are all getting used to me doing that by now, aren't you?
I have never used crates, except in extreme situations, and do not believe they are needed by the vast majority of dogs, or people come to that. Nobody really understands the workings of a dog's mind, we can only make educated guesses. It may be that many dogs see the crate as a den and a place of safety. I feel you run the risk of making the dog isolated from the world and insecure away from the crate. (I am not, for a second suggesting this is what is bound to happen, and have seen many well trained,happy sociable dogs who have been crate trained from day one.) I just don't believe that every dog should be crate trained and I don't believe it is always beneficial. I think that many people train their dogs to the crate because they think they should and, in fact there is no need for it.
Your pup sounds rather stressed to me. First off is there any way she could have access to the outside more often?
Try taking all her toys away from her and only giving her two or three when you are leaving her - do play with her, just don't leave her with the toys while you are there. Get a couple of Kongs - fill with dog food and freeze. Leave one with her as you leave, making sure she has toileted before you go. It will give her something to do. Teach her to play fetch and always make sure she is exhausted before you leave her. Train for all you are worth - short sessions when ever you can - tired in body is not the same as tired in mind. Add a few pieces of pineapple to her food - this will also put her off mouthing her own poo! I hope some of this is helpful - keep us up to date, please, and good luck!