Breaking the Bonds of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Roughly 35 million Americans suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that can vary from mild to debilitating symptoms, and it is often difficult to control.

This book begins with an overview of how a healthy digestive system is supposed to work and compares this to how it works in an individual with IBS. Then the book covers tips for finding appropriate health care providers. Diet, stress management, and coping with acute daily symptoms are also covered in depth. Worksheets are provided to guide the reader in assessing his or her personal situation.

The author, Barbara Bradley Bolen, is a psychologist that has developed a program specifically for her patients with IBS to help them cope with the condition.

Throughout the book, Barbara helps us understand how IBS isn't just a physical disorder, but a disorder that is heavily affected by stress, anxiety, and other psychological factors.

"The enteric nervous system (ENS) is comprised of nerves within the walls of the intestines... hormones and neurotransmitters within the ENS affect the workings of the whole system. The ENS is directly connected to the brain."

To drive in the point that IBS affects both physical and emotional systems, she gives examples of studies that tested digestive function and pain tolerance in IBS patients.

"You will see that there is ample evidence that this is not just all in your head...It has been found that people with IBS experience abnormal visceral sensitivity and motility dysfunction."

The author also gives examples of real people with IBS and how they overcome the anxiety that IBS causes them. One example is about a young man whose alcoholic parents locked him in a car while they went drinking. He was unable to use the bathroom during this time, which built up a fear of being unable to access a bathroom while traveling.

The author helped him to develop calming self-statements and to disassociate his childhood experiences from his adult experiences. These psychological tools "...enabled Joe to book and enjoy an island vacation."

This book is a great resource for people with IBS who have been unable to control their symptoms through other methods. However, the book does advocate a holistic approach to treating IBS, including diet and sometimes medicine. The reader doesn't have to try every technique in the book to get results but by using multiple ideas they will gain greater understanding and control over IBS.

With all of the varying therapies, diets, medications, and opinions on IBS available, Breaking the Bonds of Irritable Bowel Syndrome could be just the breakthrough that some IBS sufferers have been looking for.