Irritable Bowel Syndrome

How often have you stayed home from work, cancelled holidays and spent hours in the toilet in pain and embarrassment? Do you fear going out just in case you cannot get access to a toilet- all because of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

What Has Hypnotherapy To Do With I.B.S.?

I.B.S is extremely widespread in developed countries, a third of people in Britain have I.B.S. One study in 1983 revealed that I.B.S. accounts for up to 50% of referral cases seen by Gastroenterologists and has been notoriously difficult to treat. Some suffers will respond to antispasmodic, bulking agents, laxatives and antidiarrhoeal medications. Dietary manipulations have proved effective in some sufferers and psychotherapy has also helped some people. On the other hand many people fail to improve and after numerous tests you may have been told “There is nothing wrong with you.” This less than helpful explanation can lead to anxiety and make matters worse.
There is now a wealth of evidence that stress exacerbates gut problems and you may have become trapped in a vicious circle of physical symptoms and anxiety, which leads to more physical symptoms and so on. Hypnosis can help to break this vicious circle and increases psychological well being. However, hypnosis specifically targeted towards the gut has proved extremely effective in removing the actual symptoms of I.B.S. such as gut spasm and inflammation. In February 2008 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), which gives guidance to the NHS on effective treatments, published guidance for GPs and consultants saying there is evidence that hypnotherapy was an effective IBS treatment and that it could be recommended for chronic IBS.

It is important that your symptoms are diagnosed by your Doctor as I.B.S. Please resist the temptation to self-diagnose.

Let me help you to take control of your life instead of arranging your life around I.B.S. If you would like more information or to make an appointment you can contact me in confidence.