¿How to deal with someone with IBS?

Sunday 20 April 2014 | Andreia Nogueira at 09:05 |

Stress, anxiety and guilt are words that most likely hold a patient with irritable bowel syndrome. It isn't enough support IBS in this triple - although there is no unanimous cause of this medical condition -, while ironically this triple is fed by the patient whenever he wants to face IBS: the people around you will point you their finger, in fact three fingers. They won't do it wickedly. I don't mean three fingers equal a penis.

They just want to help you and alleviate your suffering because they love you. Facing powerlessness and hopelessness about your situation, they convince themselves that stress is the biggest guilty and they want to convince you to think the same.

Credits: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Little do they know that this causes more stress, anxiety and, mainly, guilty to the patient. Indeed, even in the happiest and more peaceful days the symptoms break through our door. They cannot see that our body now has new pains, far beyond from the ones caused by stress. I mean, when they want to give us their hands, in reality they are just moving away from us. If we agree that stress is the cause of symptoms of IBS, we will need to admit that there is a madman in our mirror.

Yes, this is a psychosomatic condition, so the guilt of stress is not totally wrong, but it is not totally right.



When we need to deal with problems, past and present aren't important and the future requires dedication and silence. Please, hug a patient with irritable bowel syndrome often and stay silent. Your strength and support could inspire him to seek unknown forces inside, instead of clinging to the symptoms to prove he is right and your words about stress are unfair.

Put the ball on the side of the patient. You will be there to do whatever it takes, but let him realize the inevitability of looking for a real solution to his own pace.

Eventually, you can suggest methods of help, alternative cures or tell him stories of success, but never repeat that he must deal with stress in order to diminish symptoms. Nobody ever got calm just because someone told him or her to deal with stress and patients of irritable bowel syndrome are no exception.