Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group

I've always been a pretty anxious person, even when I was little, and fears and worry have always been a part of my life. The longer my IBS goes on, the more fears and anxiety I seem to have. Anything I think may have triggered a previous attack becomes a new phobia. So far my IBS-related phobias include:

strenuous exercise (esp. jogging)
meeting new people
new experiences
staying up late
onions, ice cream (separately of course!)
any kind of excitement or stress (even the good kind)
Chinese food

There are many more. Lately I find myself staying home except to go to work or shopping. Anything else seems to bother my gut sometimes, so I avoid it.

They say IBS is CAUSED by stress and anxiety, but I think the cause and effect may be reversed, or maybe the two feed off each other. At any rate, right now I'm on Day Eight of relentless nausea/weird BM's/anxiety, and I can hardly take any more. My allergies are off the charts, too...all these things seem to be linked.

Has anyone with both IBS and anxiety tried any anti-anxiety meds/herbs/other techniques that eased both? Even something to take the edge off would be awesome at this point! I am considering going to a psychiatrist (NOT a counselor) to see if I can get meds for my crippling symptoms, so I can re-join the human race!
Posted on 10/18/09, 03:10 pm