It is believed that at least one in four of the general population suffers from
IBS at some point during their life.
IBS is classified as a ‘non-serious’ functional disorder which is not particularly
helpful if you suffer from it. OK you are not going to die but the symptoms can rule your life and, if they are
severe, make ordinary activities like going on holiday, playing any sort of
sport or even a trip to the shops extremely stressful and sometimes impossible.
The symptoms which include stomach pains, diarrhoea and/or constipation, flatulence
and bloating are embarrassing and make any sort of activity outside the home
subject to knowing where toilet facilities are sited en route. The result of this constant need to plan ahead
is additional anxiety and often depression which makes the condition worse and
even more difficult for the sufferer to bear.
Doctors do not know what causes IBS. It is thought that certain people have a bowel sensitivity and the triggers can be
anything from an infection to some sort of trauma. It is, however, accepted that stress is a large factor in IBS,
although diet can also play a part in alleviating symptoms.
Because doctors do no know what causes IBS they are not very successful in treating it
and many doctors are now referring patients for hypnotherapy as their patients
are reporting that their symptoms have been alleviated by learning relaxation
techniques which allow them to handle stress in their lives more effectively
and rebuild confidence. The result of this is a change in negative thinking patterns and as your mind becomes
quieter, then so does your body. The mind and the body are inextricably linked
… the brain and the bowel particularly
so … and if you learn to calm and control your mind then your bowel will begin
to behave itself!
At St. Helen’s Hypnotherapy Clinic an initial consultation is followed by 4 or 5
hypnotherapy sessions, depending on need, The client is also given recordings
of the sessions so that he or she can practise at home and continue the
treatment in their own time.
