IBS and Anxiety Disorders
Exploring
the impact of IBS on mental health
IBS - The little acronym that provokes anxiety in suffers by
its very mention. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive problem
that affects one in five Australians at some point during their lives.
IBS
is a dysfunction of the large bowel that is characterised by abdominal pain,
bloating, gas and constipation or diarrhoea. The causes of IBS are relatively
unknown, however, stress, poor diet, food intolerances, medications and
infections are all triggers for an episode.
Symptoms might include:
Why
talk about IBS in the context of anxiety?
Aside from its physical symptoms, IBS also has many
psychological impacts that often go undiscussed. As I mentioned at the
beginning of this article, living with IBS can be anxiety-provoking. There are
always so many thoughts running through your head. What happens if an episode
strikes and there’s no toilet nearby? What do you do if you’re at work, school,
or out somewhere and it hits? What about if you wake up to an episode in the
morning? How do you hide your pain and constant trips to the toilet from
everyone around you? How do you make it through the day when you are feeling
sick or are in so much pain you just want to crawl into bed and be alone? The
list is endless as IBS symptoms have a way of making every minute of your day a
potential problem.
We also know that there is a connection between the
brain and the gut. When we are feeling anxious or stressed there are physical
symptoms that we experience in our gut. Whilst anxiety and stress don’t cause
IBS, they can make its symptoms worse or episodes more frequent. This can also
extend to the pain experienced by suffers. Recent studies have shown that
individuals who suffer from functional gut disorders such as IBS perceive pain
more intensely than others and in times of stress and anxiety, their pain can
appear to be even worse than it normally is.
But what about if you also have an anxiety disorder?
Your IBS is yet another thing to add to the list of triggers for your anxiety.
Yet, when your anxiety is triggered or you are stressed, you may experience an
IBS episode or your symptoms may become worse. Each of these illnesses is
feeding the other. The IBS is making your anxiety worse, but your anxiety is
making your IBS worse. This is a very difficult situation to be in, but with
the right strategies and guidance it can be managed quite well.
Several studies have found that psychological-based
approaches to treating IBS had better outcomes than those which used conventional
medical treatments alone. The most important thing you can do for yourself is
to learn to manage your stress and anxiety. There are many different ways you
can do this. Some individuals may find that their existing strategies work very
well, but for others the combination of IBS and anxiety may make some
strategies ineffective.
Here
are some techniques to start with for treating IBS :
Meditation and Mindfulness
Your mind is a very powerful tool. Learning how to
calm your thoughts and ease tension through these techniques is a great way to
manage stress and anxiety. Both are fantastic tools to have as you can take
them with you wherever you may be. There are some differences between these two
practices so you may need to experiment to find which works best for you. They
aren’t always easy at first, but the more you practice, the better you will
become.
Exercise
Exercise has many benefits. It gets you moving, it
occupies your mind and it gives you time to you clear you head. Whilst exercise
is great, your IBS symptoms may get in the way of leaving the house or heading
to the gym. When this happens, going for a walk around the backyard, your
street or even through your house can be a great alternative.
Routine
It’s important you have a routine when it comes to
eating. Eating at similar times every day and avoiding sudden changes to this
routine is key to keeping your gut regulated. This way, not only do you know
the times you need to be near a bathroom, but your gut knows what to expect and
when.
See a psychologist or counsellor
There are several psychotherapies that can be used
to help you combat negative behaviours you may have developed or to help you
remain calm and relaxed to help relieve symptom intensity. A mental health
professional will be able to advise you of your options and what is best for
you.
Speak with your doctor
Lastly, as with any medical condition or mental
health concern, you should always speak with your doctor about the strategies
and solutions that are right for you. Your doctor can work with you through the
diagnostic process and treatments available to find what works for best for
you. They can also help you with the mental health aspects of your IBS
diagnosis and work alongside your mental health professionals to develop coping
and management strategies to help you on your road to recovery.
Written by Stephanie, ADAVIC
Volunteer
References:
http://www.gesa.org.au/resources/patients/irritable-bowel-syndrome/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection