Irritable Bowel Syndrome IF YOU HAVE BEEN MEDICALLY DIAGNOSED AS SUFFERING FROM IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME THEN READING THIS PAMPHLET COULD BE THE NEXT STEP TO RESTORING THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE AND BRINGING THE SMILE BACK TO YOUR FACE! As you probably know only too well, IBS is a hard-to-cure ailment which troubles tens of thousands of people, roughly one in four of the population of Britain at some time in their lives.. So how can I help you? Here's how! Dr P.J.Whorwell first developed an approach to IBS at the University Hospital of South Manchester in 1984. Since that time his department has accumulated clinical evidence to show that the symptoms of IBS can be eliminated or substantially reduced by the use of this method. Eight out of ten patients readily admit to feeling 80% better following a course of treatment known as Gut Directed hypnotherapy. G.D.H. has also been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, peptic ulcer, non-ulcerative dyspepsia and oesophageal problems. Suggestions given in hypnosis are adapted to each particular disorder and the needs of the patient. Further studies through the N.H.S. have resulted in a higher success rate for this type of therapy using a somewhat different approach. I am qualified to use both approaches and so can really provide whatever is in the best interest of the client. Although these approaches are effective in the majority of cases, it is sometimes necessary to use psychotherapy and/or analytical hypnotherapy as well, but only after discussion with the patient. If you have the major triad of symptoms, that is to say, abdominal pain, bloating and disordered bowel habit (constipation, diarrhoea or both), are not overly psychologically disturbed, have an open mind; and if you are determined to overcome your debilitating symptoms, you will almost certainly benefit from this form of therapy. Therapy involves the induction of hypnosis followed by a sequence of suggestions aimed at normalising the bowel movements and reducing pain and bloating. In addition to the symptoms described above, some IBS patients additionally suffer from over acidity in the stomach which can cause symptoms of nausea, heartburn, indigestion, reflux of stomach contents back into the oesophagus etc. Therapy is usually effective in reducing gastric acid secretion, enabling the stomach to empty as it should, which in turn reduces or eliminates these uncomfortable symptoms. These approaches are merely direct suggestion. You will not be encouraged to talk whilst in hypnosis or release any uncomfortable emotions. If you have suffered from this problem for several years you may well be surprised and pleased to know that therapy consists of six hour-long sessions spread over about eleven weeks. The sessions are backed up with CD's. The crucial element in all the approaches described is attitude. Without determination to overcome your problems, therapy will almost certainly fail. Your motivation to change is the key to a successful outcome. Motivation means more than just wanting to be rid of your IBS, it means being determined to overcome the symptoms yourself.There is no magic wand to wave to overcome IBS but with your attitude of "I will control my symptoms" and my help, then there is a high expectancy of your success. The therapies described, although not guaranteed to succeed, have a high response rate, are drug free and non-addictive. A striking and lasting improvement can be achieved in the relief of IBS symptoms and in overall well being. I have been in practice in Portsmouth since 1988 and have helped many hundreds of people with their problems. I hope that I can help you to overcome yours! Chris Russell is a past member of the Register of Approved Gastrointestinal Psychotherapists and the U.K. Register of IBS Therapists. I gratefully acknowledge that much of this pamphlet has been reproduced from the explanatory literature of the Register of Approved Gastrointestinal Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists and is reproduced with the kind permission of the author and the IBS Network.