How to Help Your Teen Overcome Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Does your teen have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Are you unsure on how to go about in helping your teen overcome IBS? To help understand where irritable bowel syndrome stems from and how you can help your teen overcome IBS, I have interviewed psychotherapist Dania Dandashli, MA , LPC.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
"I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology. I practice psychotherapy in a private setting in Houston . I have a special interest in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and I work with physicians to help patients with IBS cope with their symptoms. I have training in hypnotherapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy."

Where does irritable bowel syndrome stem from?
"I rritable bowel syndrome stems from a complex interplay of psychological, social, genetic, and physiological factors. I rritable bowel syndrome can be understood as a disorder of brain-gut regulation and the symptoms derive from a disturbance of the two-way communication between the two. We see an alteration in the bowel movement in people who are going through a stressful situation. Some may experience diarrhea before an exam or a job interview. Psychological trauma (like abuse) and life stressors such as parental domination and pressure to achieve are closely associated with IBS. Similarly physical and emotional stressors exacerbate the symptoms of IBS."

What type of impact can irritable bowel syndrome have on a teen's overall life?
I rritable bowel syndrome can have a debilitating impact on a teenager's overall life. I rritable bowel syndrome symptoms can affect social functioning, school attendance and academic achievement, and mental health. Some teenagers feel shame about their symptoms and end up avoiding social settings. Exam periods are often very stressful, which result in teenagers having to miss school or becoming unable to complete a project or an exam. If the symptoms are severe, IBS can control one's life and we see many teenagers becoming preoccupied with their symptoms at the expense of living their life. They become anxious, depressed, or overly obsessive about their daily routine."

How can a parent help their teen overcome irritable bowel syndrome?
"Parents' role is crucial in helping their teenagers cope with IBS. They should be able to recognize IBS, and understand the ways in which the IBS impacts their child's life. It is also important that they acknowledge their children's distress and be sympathetic. Dismissing their children's actual sensations of the pain or shaming them may result in their children loosing trust in them and feeling alienated. A family session with a physician who would be willing to offer them and their teenager a thorough explanation about IBS can be very helpful. I also encourage parents to find a psychotherapist who can teach their children how to cope with stress, to help them identify triggers that aggravate their symptoms, and to teach them relaxation techniques."

Thank you Dania for doing the interview on how a parent can help their teen overcome IBS. For more information on Dania Dandashli or her work you can check out her website at www.daniadandashlipsychotherapy.com .

Recommended Readings:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8089827/how_hypnosis_can_help_irritable_bowel.html?cat=5">How Hypnosis Can Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5518248/treating_irritable_bowel_syndrome.html?cat=5">Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome