I had two calls this morning asking for support because of IBS and anxiety. I like Dr. Weil very much and thought to pass his brief hints along.

Also two books: The Self Help Way to Treat Colitis and Other IBS Conditions, by DeLamar Gibbons, M.D., also- Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome...The Brain-Gut Connection, by Toner, Segal, Emmott, and Myran
These are not the most fun read you will ever encounter but if you gather one thing that makes your life 10% better-worth the time.

Dr. Weil's comments follow:
"April is IBS Awareness Month. IBS is a common disorder affecting 10-20 persent of adults at some point in their lives. Marked by a combination of symptoms-including constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, fatique and headaches-IBS can be worsened by certain foods, stress, and /or other irritants. Try the following in addition to dietary changes as suggested on www.DrWeil.com:

>Learn to relax. Breathing exercises, yogo and meditation are all helpful in reducing stress.

>Try hypnosis. Several scientific studies have shown that hypnosis can help ease IBS symptoms.

>Try cognitive behavioral therapy. This form of psychotherapy can help you see how self-defeating thoughts and actions contribute to stress and subsequently to IBS symptoms.

>Try acupuncture. This seems to help many IBS patients."

Carolyn

I've had stomach problems since I was 10: I was lactose intolerant from 10-15, then I was diagnosed w/ IBS b/c my sigmoidescope results and barium x-rays and barium enemas all showed no sign of colitis or crohns. Then, in October of 2003, (just after I turned 22) I was diagnosed w/ Ulcerative Colitis. My stomach problems have always followed me around; but since my GAD/Panic disorder arised in December of 2003, my stomach problems have seemed to decrease quite a bit; I don't have what I used to call "regular" bowel movements..I only "go" once every other day it seems, and the blood in my stool comes and goes..B4 12/03, I was having diarrhea every time I would eat at a restaurant, and be in that restaurant bathroom even b4 i finished my meal, not to mention just about at least once a day other than that..So I'm grateful my stomach problems aren't as bad as they were b4, but if I had a choice, I'd rather have diarrhea 5 times a day, heck all day long, instead of this GAD/Panic Disorder!

Thanks for posting I'll take a look at that site. I suffer from IBS a lot since 2 years. It's terrible... diarreah pretty much everyday and constipation a couple of times a week. It's a total nightmare

Makes your life better just '10%' of the time?? is that a typo??

Hi there. Thank you for the book tips. I will look into reading them. My anxiety and diarrhea are hand-n-hand. When I panic before leaving the house here comes the diarrhea! I hate it! I began seeing a therapist trying cognitive behavioral therapy, it only worked a little..?

Yes, yes, yes! there is hope. Keep applying the cognitive skills you are learning. I just put a letter in the Summer issue (working on it-not published yet) from someone who has not had a panic nor IBS attack in 8 months. You can do it!
Carolyn