The Association of Stress and Anxiety With the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

While medical experts, scientists, and researcher, have not been able to come up with a definitive cause for irritable bowel syndrome or the specific triggers that cause the symptoms of abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, many diagnostic interview have revealed that sixty percent of individuals who are diagnosed with IBS also have some form of psychiatric disorder or mental illness.

These findings also show that anxiety and stress tend to coexist with IBS and that that the most common psychiatric disorder that affects over sixty percent of patients with IBS is "generalized anxiety disorder" or "GAD", and approximately twenty percent suffer from depression.

The Anxiety and Stress Connection to IBS

Medical experts have stated that is possible for stress and anxiety to have a negative effect on gastrointestinal functioning and that an individual's mind who is suffering from stress or anxiety may be more aware of the spasms that occur in the colon.

It is also known that the symptoms of IBS tend to become worse when a patient is suffering from stress and anxiety and - vice versa - the symptoms in patients who have IBS can cause stress, anxiety, and depression.

Stress and anxiety can also have an effect on the immune system and scientific studies recently conducted have suggested that some cases of IBS may be caused by an abnormal immune system response.

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that is also strongly associated with the development of IBS. Studies conducted showed that many over forty percent of individuals who were seeking treatment for their panic disorder met the diagnostic criteria for IBS.

Some individuals who have received psychological treatment in the form of "CBT" or "cognitive behavioral therapy" as part of their treatment for IBS have experienced an improvement in their symptoms.

Depression and IBS

Depression also commonly coexists with IBS in many patients; however, medical experts have stated that to the best of their knowledge IBS is not caused by depression and that having depression does not cause IBS.

Interestingly enough however, is that serotonin which is a neurotransmitter or chemical in the brain is known to be associated with depression when the level is abnormal and it is also plays a role in sensitivity and regulation of the bowel.

The combination of depression and IBS can have a very negative effect on an individual's life as their symptoms of anxiety and depression can cause them to constantly worry about having a flare up of their symptoms of IBS and avoid going to places such as school, work, or social events.

Individuals with IBS tend to have more sensitivity to their emotional stress and stress also causes most individuals to have a heightened sensitivity to the pain and discomfort of their IBS. Fortunately, the combination of IBS and depression can be treated successfully with a combination of antidepressants and psychological therapy.

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Author: Anne Ahira, CEO of Asian Brain Company

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