Dealing with IBS and Anxiety
By SugarPlumPosts - 14:15
This
is a personal post for me. But it is something that is a huge part of
my life and I have to deal with it every single day. Some days are
better than others, but on a whole, it will affect me in some way
every day of my life. The term 'normal' in the quote is not one I
would usually like to use. However, in my situation it is quite
fitting. Most people I know can walk to the shops without mentally
picturing where the nearest toilets are. They can go clubbing without
crippling stomach ache resulting in having a rubbish night combined
with anxiety and pain. Not having a stomach ache almost every night
is what I would call normal. I, in this respect, am not normal. I am
a long term sufferer of a condition called IBS (Irritable Bowel
Syndrome) which, in turn, has made me more anxious and panicky as a
person.
So
what exactly is IBS and how does it affect your life? IBS can affect
different people differently and it will be worse at certain times in
a person's life. It can be caused by various factors but most
notably, stress and diet. The symptoms include (which I can tell you
are not very pleasant...) are severe stomach cramps, bloating and
change in bowel habits (more advice and information on symptoms can
be found on the page by the NHS HERE)
There is no cure for this condition unfortunately, but there are some
types of medication which may ease symptoms with some patients (none
of which worked for me) and a change in diet can help control bad
elements.
My
IBS started when I was very young and I remember having various
problems with it throughout the whole of school/college and a few
doctors appointments. However, at this point, it caused me pain and
stress, but it wasn't very severe. However, the significance of my
condition was made clear to me in my second year of university. It
was getting so bad that I was afraid to say yes to going out and
doing fun things for fear of feeling ill and something bad happening.
On a couple of occasions, it has been bad. And I was afraid of it
happening again... so, I secluded myself. Feeling like I HAD to say
no so that I didn't have to move myself out of my comfort zone in
case my IBS played up whilst out in public. This led to me being a
very anxious person, always worrying about what COULD happen. And
when something did happen the anxiety would always make it 100 x
worse. This was extremely frustrating, especially because I was in my
second year of university and not experiencing all the fun
opportunities offered to me. It also meant taking exams is doubly
stressful, as I also have the stress of thinking about the exam and
how my stomach will perform as well as my intellect... What annoys me
as well is that it can come on so sudden. One minute I'll be feeling
fine and happy and then BOOM onset stomach cramps and feeling
absolutely dreadful making me panicky, heart racing, sweaty palms and
I need to go home ASAP. It is so hard to describe this feeling to
people and it always come at times when it's least wanted, when I'm
nervous, excited or need to go somewhere in public. I did go to the
doctors for a few months but they couldn't really do anything for me.
So,
how have I 'overcome' this feeling of anxiety and spiral of forever
being defeated by my IBS? I haven't. BUT there are ways to deal to
live with it and keep it under control. First off looking at diet
does help to control it. If I have pizza it's probably not best to go
out drinking. So, watching your diet can definitely help push IBS
under the carpet. As for my anxiety and the fear of not going
out you just have to say yes and take the opportunities thrown at you
else you'll never do anything. The worst that could happen is that
you have a tough time feeling ill and have to go home. But at least
you tried. Something that gave me confidence at being able to go out
is Zoella's (yes Zoella, everyone and her dog has heard of her and
how she is aimed at the age group of screaming teenage girls, but
this post honestly changed my attitude to anxiety) post 'Just say Yes' (Read HERE)
It really hits it home that you only live this life once and so if
you shut yourself away and don't do anything then the opportunities
will come fewer and fewer. You need to grab life by the balls and
just try your best to do everything that life throws at you! Take
small steps at a time and soon you will gain the confidence to do
whatever you want! For me it started with just going out clubbing
(and having a really great time!) to then plucking up the courage
and going to Greece on a holiday with just me and my boyfriend. This
was a big step for me and I had the best time with only a couple of
occasions when feeling a bit dodgy.
The
pain and anxiety haven't gone, and to be honest I don't ever think it
will. But I am learning to live with it and just have to accept there
will be tough times, but it's not the end of the world. They will pass
and there will always be more good days then bad days overall. The
best attitude to take is to accept all the opportunities offered to
you and if the worst comes to the worst then at least you tried.
You
will never have to think 'what if'.
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