Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms affects the everyday life of thousands of people in the UK. Sadly, sufferers often live with the symptoms for years without finding either a proper diagnosis of IBS or a way of managing (let alone eliminating) those symptoms.
How can you tell if the symptoms of IBS are affecting your life?
Does your tummy often feel like it is churning and you have a cramping pain in your gut? Also you feel your anxiety/stress building and you need to be near a toilet all day?
The UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence advises GPs to check patients for IBS if they experience any of these “ABC” symptoms for six months or more:
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Bloating
• Change in bowel movements – diarrhoea, constipation or both
There are other symptoms, which include excess wind and gas, nausea or tiredness that can indicate IBS.
So are you experiencing the symptoms of IBS and not sure where to turn? Have your seen GP’s, specialists, consultants, had blood tests, ultrasounds, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy etc?
Whilst experiencing the symptoms of IBS, you may at the same time feel anxious and that something is not right with your life.
This can be a message from your brain or from your tummy telling you that there is too much stress in your life.
But here is the good news. You can learn to deal your problem and live your life free from anxiety and stress that exacerbates your IBS symptoms.
Please take heart!
Clinical hypnosis can help you reduce your anxiety and stress, and you can learn techniques to live your life free from the pain of IBS. This does not involve long-term medication, or have any side-effects and can be tailored to suit each person and their specific needs.
Adam was a client of mine with IBS and here is his story:
I have suffered from IBS since I was a young boy. I had been to my GP many times, had various tests, and cut out various foods. But still, my IBS flared up all my life. I am 30 years old now and feel that, until recently, I have not lived at all since I needed to be near a loo all the time.
My GP told me there was nothing physically wrong with me and suggested I look for alternative therapies such as hypnosis. After researching IBS further on the Internet I found Andrea and I contacted her to get help. It felt like taking a leap into the unknown but I emailed her to see if she could help.
After a couple of emails, I booked an initial hypnotherapy session. During this session, we discussed my IBS history and figured out that I was not born with the symptoms of IBS (cramping or tummy ache). At around the age of 10, my IBS symptoms started: there was a lot of bloating and discomfort with my digestive system. Our sessions helped me recognise and deal with a personal trauma I’d had around the age of 6.
I was not sure what to expect from the hypnotherapy session but I went to our appointment with an open mind. Initially, I found hypnotherapy a strange experience but I soon got used to the relaxation and guided meditation. The very next day, the toilet routine that had dictated the majority of my life virtually disappeared altogether. More and more improvements and life adjustments came with each additional session.
After a total of four sessions and a follow-up, my life has radically changed for the better. I now do things I could never do before and I am enjoying life and all its aspects”. Contacting Andrea was the best decision I have ever made.
Just remember to be open-minded and willing to take that step!
If you are worried about your IBS or want to more information about how hypnotherapy can help you with your problem, please contact me on 07967151790 or email me: info@formindssake.com to book your free 30-minute phone consultation with me.
I look forward to speaking with you!
Andrea Smith (MBPsS)
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