Resources

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Treatments

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Stress and Anxiety

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting approximately 1 in 5 Australians.

If you would like  help  to reduce the impact of IBS on your life,  call 0429 883671 to make an online, telephone or face to face appointment  with a clinical psychologist 

Symptoms

  • Abdominal pain or discomfort
  • Diarrhoea and/or constipation
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Mucous present in the faeces
  • Nausea

 

Psychological Disorders Associated With IBS

  • Panic Disorder
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Dysthymia
  • Depression

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers may benefit from psychological treatment and stress management as several studies have shown that 70-90% of sufferers who seek treatment have psychological disorders. 1

 

The relationship between IBS and stress and anxiety is not clearly understood.

Stress/anxiety may make the mind more aware of colon spasms. Irritable bowel may be triggered by the immune system, which is influenced by stress.

Stress management can alleviate and help prevent IBS symptoms. Psychologists can teach you techniques including slow breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, visualization etc.

 

Catherine Madigan, a Melbourne based irritable bowel psychologist, offers treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. For an appointment call 0429 88 3671.

 

Who gets Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Women are more likely than men to have the condition.

What causes IBS?

The cause is not well understood. Although no single factor may cause IBS, an interaction of factors may lead to its development and maintenance.

  • Altered pain perception
  • Gut reactivity
  • Dysregulation of the brain gut axis
  • Genetic predisposition- an inherited vulnerability
  • Stressful events prior to the onset of IBS ( e.g. severe physical or sexual abuse)
  • Ongoing stress- stress aggravates the condition
  • Immune dysfunction

 

What other physical disorders do sufferers tend to have?

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Myofascial disorders
  • Migraine
  • Non-cardiac chest pain
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Chronic pelvic pain 3

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment Options

If you believe you are suffering from IBS , it is important to consult a doctor. Do not self diagnose as there are other illnesses with similar symptoms. Your doctor can organise various tests and investigations to help ensure a correct diagnosis and appropriate management of your condition.

Cognitive Behavioural Treatment and IBS

Cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT) is used in the management of IBS and may be provided by an irritable bowel psychologist. If you live in Australia you can discuss with your doctor whether you are eligible for a mental health care plan which entitles you to a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions of psychological therapy per year.

 

Catherine Madigan, a Melbourne  clinical psychologist, offers treatment for IBS sufferers. For an appointment call 0429 88 3671

 

IBS Appropriate Diet

People with IBS are advised to consult their doctor and/or a dietician re an appropriate diet tailored to their specific symptoms. When excluding foods from one’s diet, one has to ensure that one still gets all the nutrients required for good health.

People experiencing flatulence are advised to decrease or eliminate cabbage, caulfilower, broccoli and beans. People who are lactose intolerant may try reducing or eliminating milk and dairy foods from their diet. Increasing soluble dietary fibre ( e.g. some green vegetables, oats) and fluid intake may help people who suffer from constipation. Caffeinated drinks, including coffee and carbonated soft drinks, may aggravate irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

Medication

Tricyclic antidepressants may be used to treat the pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Immodium or Lomotil may be used treat people who have diarrhoea. Pain killers such as codeine may be used to provide pain relief. Antispasmodic drugs may alleviate cramps.

DURING THE COVID-!9 PANDEMIC YOU CAN GET TREATMENT ONLINE FROM ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA AND IT’S BULK BILLED FOR COMMONWEALTH CONCESSION CARD HOLDERS.

 

MEDICARE REBATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE FOR TELEHEALTH SESSIONS.

 

FACE TO FACE SESSIONS ARE STILL AVAILABLE TOO.

 

References

  1. Garakani A, Win T, Virk S, Gupta S. Kaplan D, Masand PS Comorbidity of IBS in psychiatric patients : a review. American Journal of Therapy 2003 Jan-Feb : 10 (01): 61-67
  2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the General Population: epidemilogy. comorbidity and societal costs Markku Hillila 2010.
  3.  Disorders Which Frequently Overlap with irritable bowel syndrome: Can a Shared Neurobiology Explain their frequent association Goddard, E.r., Barth,K.S. D.O., Lydiard, R.B. primary Psychuiatry 2007; 14(4): 69-73

Resources

4 Good Reason You Should Call Us!

Quick appointments no matter where you live in Australia. Online shyness, public speaking and anxiety treatment available.

Minimal out of pocket expense (Medicare & Health fund Rebates)

Clinical Psychologist with approx. 25 years of experience. Also offering virtual reality exposure therapy.

Business hours, After hours and Saturdays appointments

Frequently Asked Questions

Anxiety Australia is an anxiety clinic in Hawthorn, Melbourne that is run by Catherine Madigan, who is a clinical psychologist. She primarily focuses on treating anxiety disorders and stress management techniques to individuals and businesses through one on one consultations and stress management workshops.

She offers professional, discreet and confidential treatment options that work.

Catherine’s effective anxiety treatments offered in Melbourne can help you overcome disorders such as:

Call now for an appointment on 0429 883 671

The www.anxietyaustralia.com.au/ website provides information about anxiety disorders and the treatment options available. You will also find contact details for other psychologists around Australia who have substantial experience in and/or work primarily with anxiety disorders.

Catherine Madigan is a Melbourne based Clinical Psychologist. She is passionate about empowering clients with confidence. The reason her focus is primarily on the treatment of anxiety disorders is that she gains great satisfaction by witnessing the freedom and life changing results her therapies can deliver.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in Australia, with 1/7 people (14% of the population) reporting having had an anxiety disorder in the last 12 months. Women are more likely to have an anxiety disorder than men, 18% vs 11%. ABS National Survey of Mental Health & Wellbeing, Summary of Results 2007.

Anxiety or fear is a normal response to a present or imagined threat. Mild fear can be helpful as it enables us to respond quickly when faced with a dangerous situation and to be alert in difficult situations (e.g. exams). However, excessive fear may lead to people being paralysed e.g. soldiers under attack may be so afraid they can’t move to take cover, public speakers may find they go blank, forget their lines and are rendered speechless.

Anxiety is a normal emotion as it affects most people and is widespread. You would be abnormal if you didn’t experience fear sometimes. However, if your anxiety is out of proportion to the situation you are experiencing and/or persists in the absence of threat, e.g you worry about events months ahead or are experiencing anxiety long after the danger has passed, you may need professional help.

Some people are more prone to experiencing anxiety than others and it is not caused by just one thing but by a combination of factors including: genetics, family environment and traumatic life experiences. Sufferers may have unhelpful thinking patterns such as perfectionist standards. Nevertheless, you can learn to manage your anxiety more effectively.

View More FAQs

Connect with us

CALL ME
+
Call me!