IBS - Anxiety & Depression
Discussion
Posting this to see what others can suggest I recommend for my good friend. Also posting this under a different login as well, as I don't want him Googling and recognizing my name etc. Not that it's offensive or anything.
He was diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago (he's early 40's now), he only mentioned it once in a while how it was annoying and inconvenient it was for him. Fast forward to the present day, he's more vocal about it but he's really down, to the point I really feel he's hugely depressed with the whole situation. From what I gather, he's constantly anxious about needing the loo, to a point its stressing him out so much its "ruining my life" (his words last week), he can eat, leave the house and within 5 mins he's busting to go! Seems its mostly a mental things, which affects his nerves and thus his gut/bowels!
He used to be so upbeat about life and funny as hell, yet these days he's so distant and down. We no longer live in the same country (he's in the UK, I've been gone 5 years), but he admitted recently that he's so anxious about coming to visit me abroad now and that he puts it off (he's visited twice in 5 years). He broke up with this girlfriend a month or so ago as well, which adds to it. Feeling concerned about him, I promptly booked some time off work and flights back to the UK so I could spend some time with him (next week), in hope it cheers him up a bit and that he knows his mates are there. He seemed upbeat about this as well, which is good.
Anyway, I've asked him what he's been doing at the docs and what they've suggested. He's had allergy tests, meetings with nutritionists to suggest better diets etc, but no avail. The doc even put him on beta blockers (which I'm surprised about!). The BB's are making him feel tired and lethargic all the time he said.
Other than been there for him and trying to keep him upbeat, what else can a friend do? I know IBS is common, but I never knew how it mentally affected people like this and I'm concerned he's slipping into deeper depression.
Any suggestions, advice welcome.
He was diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago (he's early 40's now), he only mentioned it once in a while how it was annoying and inconvenient it was for him. Fast forward to the present day, he's more vocal about it but he's really down, to the point I really feel he's hugely depressed with the whole situation. From what I gather, he's constantly anxious about needing the loo, to a point its stressing him out so much its "ruining my life" (his words last week), he can eat, leave the house and within 5 mins he's busting to go! Seems its mostly a mental things, which affects his nerves and thus his gut/bowels!
He used to be so upbeat about life and funny as hell, yet these days he's so distant and down. We no longer live in the same country (he's in the UK, I've been gone 5 years), but he admitted recently that he's so anxious about coming to visit me abroad now and that he puts it off (he's visited twice in 5 years). He broke up with this girlfriend a month or so ago as well, which adds to it. Feeling concerned about him, I promptly booked some time off work and flights back to the UK so I could spend some time with him (next week), in hope it cheers him up a bit and that he knows his mates are there. He seemed upbeat about this as well, which is good.
Anyway, I've asked him what he's been doing at the docs and what they've suggested. He's had allergy tests, meetings with nutritionists to suggest better diets etc, but no avail. The doc even put him on beta blockers (which I'm surprised about!). The BB's are making him feel tired and lethargic all the time he said.
Other than been there for him and trying to keep him upbeat, what else can a friend do? I know IBS is common, but I never knew how it mentally affected people like this and I'm concerned he's slipping into deeper depression.
Any suggestions, advice welcome.
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