Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: IBS symptoms in social situations

I don't take any anti-anxiety meds. I'm working hard to avoid medication if I can help it. My ND is helping me deal with anxiety which is amazing. She is more helpful than the psychiatrist I saw through my HMO. I was thinking of trying Rescue Remedy which has actually helped my dog with anxiety and I hear it works well for people.

It's great that you have a friend who totally understands and isn't disgusted by your IBS symptoms. My friends really don't ask or seem to want to know about it. They ask a couple questions and then give me the answer to all my problems (take digestive enzymes or avoid such and such food). The only person who knows what I go through day to day is my husband and I am so grateful for him. However, he has a great gut and can eat just about anything he wants, so even though he's extremely supportive, he can not understand the suffering, or the anxiety and depression around the suffering I go through daily.

Another poster pointed out the importance of self-awareness, which makes a lot of sense to me. I tend to ignore the signals my body gives when I am in social situations because I am embarrassed to disappear into the bathroom for more than a couple minutes, or even to step outside in the middle of a conversation. Instead, I tend to avoid social gatherings pretty much all together, which makes me feel isolated and like I am missing out on a huge part of my life.

Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate your thoughts.

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