It is not very clear how anxiety, stress and the irritable bowel syndrome have been interconnected, or the order of their relation but there are studies stating the co-existence between them. If we carry out interviews with patients who had diagnosed for IBS, we shall find that sixty percent of the patients with IBS will be under the measure for psychiatric problems as per Edward Blanchard, the psychology professor at New York State University at Albany.

The general mental disease that occurs to IBS patients is the GAD, an anxiety disorder as per Blanchard. He fears that more than sixty percent of IBS infected people who have psychiatric diseases definitely will contain GAD. Another twenty percent of the people suffer from depression and some of them have similar disorders.

IBS and Anxiety

No matter they have IBS, patients who have anxiety usually worry much about their money, health, career according to the Association for Anxiety Disorders in America. Other symptoms that are associated with it include upset of stomach, muscle ache, dizziness, insomnia, irritability and trembling.
There are various theories that related the co-existence of stress, anxiety and IBS.

• Though the mental problems like anxiety are not the reason behind IBS, people who have IBS will be very sensitive to psychological problems.
• Anxiety and stress can make the mind sensitive to colon spasms.
• IBS could be caused by immunity system, which is infected by stress.

Coping With Anxiety and Stress

There is some evidence that management of stress could help in avoiding symptoms of IBS. Some patients use the relaxation methods like visualization and deep breathing, for reducing stress. Others avoid stress by doing certain things which they could enjoy, like talking to friends, listening music, reading, shopping, or playing.

Doing regular workouts and physical exercises, sleeping and eating well balanced diet can reduce stress, anxiety and IBS symptoms.

They can try various techniques for stress management to check whether they can reduce the symptoms for IBS. If they find more anxious and stressed, then they can consult their physician. They should ensure they get right medical care for diarrhea and other IBS related issues. Then they must interact with some mental health expert and whether there could be some benefits from them.

People who have IBS must start using primary care doctors and work with them. They must go to psychological care only when this step does not work properly.

Considering Support and Therapy treatment for IBS

As per blanchard’s report 2/3 of the people who suffer from IBS usually get better with modification in their usual diet pattern as well as medication. The remaining 1/3 who have serious symptoms must seek psychological support. Without such support, they are not able to get out of their problems.

Behavioral therapy is found to be a good cure for certain IBS symptoms and many of the people try it. This term is used for conveying idea about various therapies which include cognitive therapy, relaxation therapy, traditional psychotherapies, hypnotherapies’ and lot more. They can help in reducing IBS symptoms for patients with tough symptoms.

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is distinguished by heightened worry and anxiousness about day-today life. People with GAD have chunks of worries in their life which has no logical explanation. They keep thinking and worrying about money, family, work, health and so on. As stated earlier there is no rational reason behind worrying and this blows the situation out of proportion many a times. Anxiety makes life dreadful. Worry and fear dominate the personality of people suffering from GAD and it tremendously hampers the daily routine and functioning of a person. It has a detrimental effect on relationships as well.

Basic Symptoms of GAD are as follows

• Unnecessary, continuing worry and tension
• An impractical vision of problems
• Impatience
• Irksome behavior
• Nasty Headaches
• Increased Sweating
• Short attention span
• Nausea
• Visiting the bathroom frequently
• A sense of fatigue
• Lack of sleep
• Shivering and shuddering
• Easily astounded

People suffering from GAD also suffer from various phobias, bouts of depression and drug/alcohol abuse.

Causes of GAD

The precise and the actual cause of GAD is not yet known or discovered. There are number of reasons like heredity, brain chemistry and ecological stress stimulates the development of GAD in people.

Heredity : Some studies conclude that family record plays a great role in magnifying the chances of people developing GAD. Heredity plays a large role in the development of GAD.

Brain chemistry : The development and enlargement of the disease has been directly linked to the neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. An anomalous level of neurotransmitters and the neurotransmitters are found to be out of alignment causes high levels of anxiety.

Ecological factors : Environment plays a dominating role in the development of GAD as well. Shock and stress hamper the health of people. Death, divorce and job hops may lead to the development of GAD in people. Regular intake of alcohol or any form of caffeine or nicotine adds on as it enlarges the causes of worry and anxiety.

Popularity of GAD

You may be shocked to learn that approximately 4 million Adult Americans go through GAD every year. The disease may start shaping during the teenage years and it is more common in women.

Diagnosis of GAD

If you are suffering from any of the major symptoms that cause GAD the doctor will examine and assess you further and try to know your family history details. A physical examination and the individual’s medical track record will be scrutinized. None of the tests done in the laboratory depict this disease the doctor may try and search for any kinds of physical illness as symptoms.

The disease is diagnosed on the severity of the symptoms. The duration and the intensity will gauge the diagnosis as well. The doctor would examine and find out if the symptom disrupts day-to-day functioning and the degree of the symptom that results in anxiety. The symptoms should be experience for over six months that obstruct the functioning of daily life.