| | IBS Stress Solutions | The cause of IBS remains uncertain, but the following trends that might help people make sense and find meaning in their symptoms, have been identified in IBS: - They experience a lowered threshold for pain
- There exists a biological predisposition to respond to emotional stimuli with colon hypermotility (increased colon smooth muscle contractions)
- There are findings of mildly elevated test scores on depression, anxiety, neuroticism
- There tends to be a preoccupation with physical symptoms
- Increased tension, leads to an increase in symptoms
- ½ of patients reported psychological loss or threat of loss preceding the 1st episode
- There is a perceived, subjective experience of stressful life events
- Family history shows a tendency for special treats during childhood illness - treats for illness becomes a learned response
- Mind-body issues: fear of letting go; insecurity; lack of self-confidence, self-esteem and personal power; tending to be easily intimidated by others, finding the expression of their own ideas and opinions very difficult
| | Mind over matter healing treatment options that have proven very successful for IBS | - Self-awareness of stress triggers through stress assessments
- Coping skills training for handling interpersonal conflicts positively
- Hypnotherapy, autogenic training, biofeedback to control internal smooth muscle contraction
- Relaxation training, incl. relaxercises, movement
- Rest, massage
- Family therapy: patient contracting to talk about IBS symptoms only with the health care practitioner, who should be sympathetic, but not indulgent); family members to ignore any complaints in the home
- Group therapy - lectures, discussion, relaxation training, journal keeping
| | More information on IBS: | |
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