POLL: Do you have panic disorder & IBS?
1) Yes
2) No
3) Don't know
Right now, you may be experiencing the symptoms of IBS and not even realize that there is a name for your problem. Maybe you've been diagnosed with IBS and do not know what to do about it. Another possibility is that you are having symptoms, and other causes (such as your medications) have not been ruled out. The following answers to questions about IBS may help you begin to understand this condition.
Q. What is IBS?
A. A simple definition, provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), states that IBS "is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to crampy pain, gassiness, bloating, and changes in bowel habits." People with IBS may experience constipation (difficult or infrequent bowel movements); diarrhea (frequent loose stools, often with an urgent need to move the bowels); or both.People with IBS also may experience the urge to move the bowels but be unable to do so. Severity of the symptoms of IBS vary. Some people have mild IBS while others may be disabled by it.
Q. What causes IBS?
A. Theories about the causes of IBS can vary as widely as theories about panic disorder. Researchers have had a difficult time finding a physiological cause for IBS, so stress often has been stated as the cause. However, doctors now believe that stress may worsen IBS but not cause it. Instead, researchers have found that the colon muscle of a person with IBS is more sensitive than for people without IBS. This sensitivity causes strong reactions to stimuli that would not bother people without IBS.Medications, certain foods, alcohol and caffeine all have been found to aggravate IBS. Researchers also have noted that women have more IBS symptoms during menstruation, suggesting that hormones may play a role. Researchers have also found that a bacteria in the intestines may be the cause of IBS.
Q. What should I do if I think I have IBS?
A. You should talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You need not continue suffering because a variety of treatments are available. Additionally, if you have panic disorder, the two conditions may aggravate each other, particularly if you already have a phobia of going out or going to social functions.The symptoms of IBS may be symptoms of other conditions, so your doctor will need to run some tests to rule out the other problems. You should let the doctor know about all medications you are on, in case your symptoms are a possible side effect of your medications. If you are seeing a separate doctor or psychiatrist for your psychiatric medications, you should let him know about your symptoms as well.
Q. How is IBS treated?
A. The most common treatments for IBS include dietary changes, stress relief, and medication. Some people also look to alternative medicine for solutions. I recommend About.com Guide Dr. Barbara Bradley Bolen's Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome for more information about IBS treatments.Q. What special steps should I take if I have panic disorder and IBS?
A. Thankfully, some of the treatment methods for IBS also are methods that may help you with panic disorder. Eliminating alcohol and caffeine has been shown to help panic disorder, and the healthy diet people with IBS usually follow may be beneficial as well. Stress relief techniques such as relaxation should be a part of most people's panic disorder recovery programs. Lifestyle changes such as exercise also have been shown to help psychiatric disorders.One area where you should proceed with caution is with medications. If you are prescribed medication for IBS, you should be sure that all health professionals involved know all medications you are taking and that it is OK to take them together. You should ask if any of your current medications may be causing your symptoms. For example, some antidepressants may cause constipation. You may not have IBS after all; it may be a side effect of your medication.
If IBS is aggravating your panic disorder, particularly for people with agoraphobia, it is important to discuss these issues with your health providers and therapist. Maybe your agoraphobia has been a fear of being away from home and far from a restroom. Maybe you have been embarrassed about running to the bathroom in front of people.
If your agoraphobia hasn't been caused by your IBS, though, it may be aggravated by it. Will you be able to practice desensitization (slowly exposing yourself to feared situations) if you're having the physical symptoms of IBS? These kinds of questions should be discussed with your healthcare providers and a well-rounded treatment plan should be designed.
Sources:
Kaplan DS, PS Masand, and S Gupta. "The Relationship of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Panic Disorder." Annals of Clinical Psychiatry 8.2(1996):81-8.
Lydiard RB, and SA Falsetti. "Experience With Anxiety and Depression Treatment Studies: Implications for Designing Irritable Bowel Syndrome Clinical Trials." American Journal of Medicine 107.5A(1999):65S-73S.
