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HomeMental HealthAnxietyHow to Deal with IBS Anxiety

9 Minutes

Edited & medically reviewed by THE BALANCE Team
Fact checked

Affecting approximately 20% of the world’s population, irritable bowel syndrome or IBS refers to a functional disorder that occurs due to a complex interaction between hereditary factors and environmental triggers. Anxiety and stress seem to outrun all of the many factors that trigger this uncomfortable digestive disorder. 

Owing to the hardwiring between the brain and the digestive tract, known as the gut-brain axis, the perception of stomach pain, bloating, and our psychological state strongly influences other common symptoms related to IBS. As a result, the victims of this digestive issue commonly seem to develop a phenomenon called ‘IBS anxiety” that not only reduces the quality of life but also takes a toll on mental health.

Can IBS be caused by stress and anxiety? Yes, and if you seem to suffer from IBS anxiety, enrolling in a luxury rehab centre to regain a hold of your life is the best way forward.

  • 1-2 out of every 10 people in the UK suffer from IBS
  • IBS affects twice as many women as men in the UK
  • About half of these patients with IBS associate the start of their symptoms with a stressful life event
  • 6 out of 10 sufferers of IBS never seek professional help
  • IBS costs £800,000 to the UK economy every year as a result of lost productivity and absents from work

Before you learn how to cope with IBS and the associated anxiety, it is important to understand what the former is, how it affects the body, and what is its link with the latter. Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS refers to an unpleasant, uncomfortable, and potentially debilitating issue characterised by recurrent pain in the abdomen with issues like diarrhoea and/or constipation. Patients if IBS often have a strong urge to use the washroom and commonly avoid going to places where it isn’t easily accessible. This means for these people, everyday locations such as movie theatres, classrooms, malls, offices, and parks feel risky, leading to limitations in engaging in these activities. Patients with IBS also feel threatened by many food items, believing them as triggers their frequent attacks. With a loss of pleasure in eating and limited socialising opportunities, such people are often thrown into a vicious cycle of discomfort, vigilance, and anxiety, which further amplifies their GI sensations. 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for IBS, and the only mode of treatment is to manage the underlying triggers to avoid flare-ups. Anxiety and stress have surfaced as the most important triggers as research estimates their presence in up to 60% of the patients.

Characterised by the brain and the nerves originating from it, the central nervous system undoubtedly holds the utmost importance in the body. The entire system runs on the internal controls, mostly on an autopilot mode. While the nervous system is divided into two major parts: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system, some believe it to have an extra third component, the enteric nervous system, connecting the brain to the gastrointestinal system.

The sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the nervous system work in harmony. The parasympathetic system is responsible for the “rest and digest” system, controlling all activities like tear production, digestion, defecation, and urination, as the body rests. On the other hand, the sympathetic system controls the “fight or flight response” that is commonly activated by anxiety and stress. Once this fight or flight mode is set off, a chain reaction of hormones is triggered that increases the heartbeat, rushes more blood to your muscles, and slows down the digestive processes.

This explains the connection between IBS and anxiety attacks, as anxiety seems to disturb the gut and brain balance by altering the parasympathetic nervous system. In the event of stress, multiple hormones, such as corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRF), are released in the gut. This hormone has been linked to the healthy bacterial population (gut microbiome) in the gut responsible for maintaining bowel functions. If the stress becomes chronic, the extra CRF triggers imbalances in the bacterial population, a condition called dysbiosis that primarily triggers IBS.

Learning how to deal with IBS anxiety involves timely detection of the issue to commence the management without any delays. People who regularly develop diarrhoea in distressing situations must especially consider ruling out IBS as the underlying culprit. While experts are not sure about the exact cause of the problem, both stress and anxiety have been known to cause flare-ups. Interestingly, IBS and anxiety have also co-occur in many patients, increasing the risk of frequent bouts of attack and worsening symptoms.

Development of the following symptoms, especially in a stressful or anxiety-inducing situation, warrant the suspicion of an underlying issue of IBS:

  • Recurrent, frequent attacks of pain or cramps in the abdomen
  • Increased gas or bloating
  • Diarrhoea and/or constipation

Recurrence of these symptoms under stress confirms the presence of stress-induced IBS. The anxiety IBS cure, in such cases, not only requires lifestyle management but also learning to control the stress levels. An executive treatment centre for IBS anxiety can be a great place to ensure the best level of treatment without overwhelming yourself. Contact us now to book yourself an experience at a five-star luxury IBS anxiety treatment centre today.

Sources suggest that up to 60 per cent of people with IBS suffer from an underlying psychiatric disorder, like depression or anxiety. Stress and other major traumas in life, for example, the demise of a loved one and a breakup, are associated with worsening the symptoms of IBS in the following way:

  • Activation of the immune system
  • Reduction in the intestinal blood flow
  • Increased intestinal permeability
  • Inflammation of the immune system

 The changes mentioned above can significantly affect the symptoms of IBS. The symptoms of someone constantly living under stress are likely to become severe and can only be managed by controlling the stressful event.

Plenty of evidence has confirmed the link between IBS and stress and other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety, mood disorders, and more. It has also been found that one-third of the patients with IBS consider suicide due to their worsening symptoms. These alarming statistics make it extremely important to seek help and get the issue sorted before it leads to a serious outcome.

Unfortunately, there is no way to stop a stress IBS attack from coming back permanently. The condition is permanent and likely to stick for the rest of your life. The only way to control is by introducing appropriate lifestyle modifications and using prescription medication depending on the severity of symptoms. When anxiety and stress are in the mix, the anxiety IBS cure also involves therapies to control the aggravating stressful trigger.

Lifestyle Changes

Some important lifestyle changes to control the recurring bouts of IBS include the following:

  • Maintain adequate intake of water
  • Increase the consumption of fibre for better regulation of the bowels
  • Track the daily food intake to identify food triggers, if any
  • Eat smaller meals to prevent gas and bloating

Medication

Based on individual symptoms and severity of illness, the following medications may also be prescribed:

  • Probiotics fight gut dysbiosis and balance the good bacteria in the gut. Supplementation with these medications can alleviate symptoms like diarrhoea and bloating while improving mood
  • Antibiotics to kill the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the small intestine
  • Antidepressants to control the gut and help with mood
  • Prebiotics to feed the good bacteria and maintain a healthy gut microbiome

Therapies

The following therapies are often recommended for anxiety-causing IBS:

  • Undergoing psychotherapy that involves regular sessions with a therapist to change behaviour and increase happiness in everyday life.
  • Cognitive-behavioural therapy to fight stress by changing the behaviour and thought pattern
  • Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, positive imagery, and deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation and peace while successfully tacking high levels of stress and anxiety
  • Support groups to meet other people with similar issues for assurance and encouragement

IBS Anxiety Luxury Treatment Center

Coping with IBS, particularly if it is stress-induced, can be extremely challenging. The treatment involves major lifestyle changes that cannot be implemented without a healthy mind. The intense requirements of healthy meal preparations and careful food selection can be practically impossible to follow while maintaining a good work-life balance. Not to forget the extremely uncomfortable symptoms of IBS that can easily make you lose motivation and give up the hope of living a healthy life once again.

Enrolling in an IBS anxiety executive rehab is the best option to manage all aspects of IBS while giving your mind enough time to recover from long-term stress. These luxury centres have been designed to cater to the needs of every patient differently while providing them with a homely environment and complete discretion. So if you or your loved one is fighting IBS anxiety, contact us for the perfect luxurious experience.

If your busy schedule or high-stress levels prevent you or a dear one from seeking help, enrolling in a luxury treatment centre can help you learn how to deal with IBS anxiety. These facilities can help you recover by incorporating proven therapies to control stress-induced gastrointestinal disorders while catching up on your professional and personal obligations remotely through a mobile or computer.

Our treatment centre offers amenities comparable to five-star hotels, focusing on your wellness and health. You or your dear one are assured of receiving top-of-the-line care for IBS behavioural treatment. From chef-prepared high-quality meals to a large pool to plush bedding in a discreet private villa, we have all the luxuries to make your experience memorable.

We believe that patients with IBS can greatly benefit from high-end care in residential treatment homes as they provide them enough time to recover without adding to their stress. At our luxury treatment rehab, we offer an opportunity to make your life free from stress and IBS as you live in a picturesque environment with facilities of health clubs, spas, therapy centres, and gardens.

Contact us now to book your slot in our luxury IBS anxiety treatment retreat.

IBS and anxiety attacks often go hand in hand and require concurrent management to ensure a healthy life. A luxury IBS anxiety treatment centre can be the perfect way to control the symptoms of an underlying flare-up without overwhelming your mind and body. It can also provide a great opportunity to take time off from a busy schedule and allow your mind to relax and release tension for better control of IBS. Contact us now to book your luxury experience today.

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