Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Sounds like me! I never went on a anti depressant but I began having panic attacks and aniexty with the start of my IBS. The doc said this would go away when the symptoms of IBS cleared up but he was sooooooooooo wrong!
What really works for me is NOT putting any expectations on myself.If I feel good, I go out.If not, I stay home.Period.
I also began to realize that if I have to go to the bathroom, then I go.No one pays any attention to the bowel habits of others AT ALL! My biggest obstacle was this. I was afraid to go poo in public.I didn't want any one to know.Wel ..no one cares.We live in a world where NO ONE pays attention to others at all. So realizing this helped me to get out.If I need to go,I go.Just being calm about it helps keep the panic at bay and keeps me from having any attacks.
I still can't go shopping with my mom(thats another story)she drives me crazy but...I have gone shopping bymyself with no problems.I think the more you push yourself and get back into a routine of leaving the house and going somewhere,The sooner you will break the cycle of barricading yourself behind the bathroom door.
Trust me I lived that way for years.
I have also been using the hypno tapes and am finding a huge relief.It has really enabled me to reopen my food menu and also help me leave the house with no fear.
good luck to you,If you have to use meds then do it.the whole point is to get yourself in a good place so you can function in this world and reclaim your life from the hell that is IBS.

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IBS-D since 1999...mostly stable..i do cheat too.Bad me.

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