Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS Resources
Are their social stigmas associated with having IBS?
There are definitely social stigmas associated with IBS. IBS is a condition that occurs due to the way that people think. The general public, and also some physicians, believe it is more in the patient's head because there is no discrete structural anatomic marker to determine that the patient has IBS. It was previously believed by some people that IBS was a disease associated with neurotic middle aged women, but this false thought has been abolished by creating awareness among people. It is partly true that there are some psychological symptoms associated with IBS such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. There is also a case that a person without any psychological disorder can have IBS. There is a lot of frustration and guilt that the patients feel as though they can't control the symptoms, and they also don't get any information related to the effective treatment of their symptoms.
What can I do to counter stereotypes associated with IBS?
Increasing the awareness and the accurate education and information about IBS will really help. Patients and the general public understand about IBS that it's a real condition, and that it shouldn't be a condition that's looked down upon or thought to be imagined, or that it is purely psychological. Having that information available for patients to understand themselves and to explain to their family and friends would be important, and for physicians to provide, or health care providers to provide, that information for patients.
Are there support groups for those with IBS?
To find out about support groups for those with IBS, patients can ask their healthcare providers. They may know of local support groups. Probably accessing Internet information sites like the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, the IFFGD.org site. Patients will probably be able to find out if there are support groups in their area.
What are some useful websites with IBS information?
There are several good websites for good scientific and medically accurate information for IBS. They include the IFFGD website, the International Foundation for Functional GI Disorders, that's iffgd.org. Also, the websites for the centers that take care of patients with IBS. I work at UCLA and our center provides information about IBS. Also, there's two other big centers that perform research and also take care of IBS patients. There's the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, that will provide important information. The University of North Carolina, the Center for Functional GI Disorders -- that website provides really good information for patients with IBS.
What are some useful books about IBS?
There's a lot of books about IBS that are really more patient-focused. I know of one recent book about IBS called "Conquering IBS", and that was written by Nick Talley, who's a prominent researcher and clinician who takes care of IBS patients. I did review that book. It's a great simple, straightforward, very practical book for IBS patients. There's others in the works, and also available in local bookstores.
