Studies have shown that 1:5 people suffer from some degree of irritable bowel. It is often only when these symptoms become severe enough to interfere with their life that they seek treatment.
The symptoms of IBS can vary but patients will often present with urgency and frequency of bowel action, abdominal pain and bloating. Often patients complain of diarrhoea, but some are troubled by constipation.
It has been found that hypnotherapy is an extremely effective form of treatment, and after 12 sessions many patients have reported a considerable reduction in their symptoms, even in severe cases.
The first objective in treatment is to obtain a soothing effect on the bowel. Patients can go on to make a complete recovery but this will involve a deeper understanding of the emotional problems which underlie this syndrome.