Living with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be difficult, and having multiple avenues of support may help improve a person’s quality of life. Patients with the condition may get the best support from an experienced, compassionate doctor who can prescribe medications and offer techniques to deal with symptoms. Good doctors may also be a source for referrals to IBS support groups and professional counselors. Support groups can help a patient get advice and moral support from others suffering from the same condition, while professional counselors can help a patient deal with the stress of having IBS and suggest ways to overcome obstacles. Understanding friends and family can also be good sources of IBS support.
A doctor who is experienced with IBS may be a patient’s most important source of IBS support. Besides providing a patient with effective treatments, an experienced doctor may provide his patient with suggestions for coping better with the condition. He may also provide hints and tips for dealing with symptoms that develop at inopportune times. He may even be a source of referrals to other types of care and support when needed.
Family and friends may also prove to be a good source of IBS support. Since they know and care for the patient, it is only natural for them to be supportive. Sometimes, however, a patient’s family members and friends do not fully understand what the patient is experiencing and may feel ineffective at providing support. Fortunately, this issue is simple to fix by reading information about IBS or even attending an IBS support group meeting or two. Once a patient’s loved one really understands what the IBS patient is experiencing, he may be better equipped to provide support.
While family and friends can provide much-needed support, many people find that IBS support groups help them as well. By attending IBS support group meetings, a person may have the opportunity to speak with other people who are dealing with the same symptoms and challenges. Such discussions may not only help a patient to get validation of his feelings, but may also help him gain hints and tips for dealing with the condition.
Dealing with a chronic condition, especially one that affects a person’s bowels, may be hard on even the most optimistic person. Sometimes, a person with this condition may benefit from the help of a mental health counselor. This type of professional may help a person develop new ways of coping with stress or seeing challenges in a different light. He may also serve as someone to talk to when no one else seems to understand.
