From the article: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Family Relationships
The disruptive nature of IBS can take its toll on family relationships. According to family systems medicine experts the reverse may be true as well. Experts in this area maintain that the quality of family relationships can have an effect on the severity of physical disorders
like IBS. What do you think? Do you think that your family helps or hurts your IBS? Share your experience here and find out how other sufferers and their families deal with IBS.
Share Your Experience!
IT HURTS BUT NO
- I have had IBS for several years now and it has gotten worse instead of better. I am consistently in and out of the doctors office, always calling into work. I am not as social as I use to be. I lost many friends and as for holding onto a man I can't. People do not seem to understand this illness. They think that its all in our minds or that we should be able to control it but they are so wrong. This illness is embarrassing, lonely, and painful and most of all its very depressing. Doctors just tell you stop stressing, take more fiber pills. They give you more antidepressant pills. At work I have to call in and report to two different people and explain to them why I couldn't make it into work. I have to explain how I have to spend hours in the bathroom in pain and on the toilet ... if anything this illness makes you more frustrated and mad cause you just can't control it. It doesnt make a difference what you eat or what you do, it just does not go away !! I wish more was said about this illness.
- —Guest jody
Good but mostly bad
- I say this because they understand how I feel but they don't support me on getting home studies. I want to get home studies because I could use my own restroom not the school's. I believe that I'm the only one who suffers from it at that school.I would love to meet someone with IBS too, it would make me feel better .
- —Guest Valerie
My family DOES hurt my IBS
- When I first had problems with IBS I got so sick that I had no appetite and ended up weighing 70 lbs! I'm only 21 now & have been dealing with it for 4 years. My family doesn't understand the issue & honestly, they've always just blew it off. They haven't ever offered help or anything. My father has encouraged me to eat more & that is his only way of trying to help. That's how he shows his concern, but they don't realize that eating more is not helpful. My grandmother stays on me hard about it & claims that if I would take tons of fiber pills and eat all the time I'd be better. My partner of 5 years is extremely caring & supportive though so it does help. I also have an older sister who's desperately tried to help me. Her and my brother in law paid for my Dr. visits to get surgery (that wasn't needed, but Dr insisted) and they helped me to get on Donnatal to help the pain and anxiety. Still, my family does hurt the problems alot. They don't want to understand & it's easier to not care.
- —Guest Kendra
Loss of Friendship
- My family understands, but I lost a good friend, as I was nearly almost cancelling outings.
- —Guest susan santry
in the family
- my biggest support is my husband. without him i dont know how i would get through each day. ibs is in my family, both my sisters suffer from it but, not as much as me. plus i have had two nervous breakdowns and feel this has also ruined my life. yes, i think my family are a big help.
- —bennybean
Good and Bad
- My family is genuinely concerned. They love me and want to know how they can help. But, lets face it, most people don't plan their day around their eating and bathroom habits and its unreasonable of me to ask them to give up foods or activities simply because I can't participate. Overall, the more information they have the better they are with dealing.
- —Guest Lola
IBS, An Invisible Disability
- My family keep nagging me to see a doctor when I've had loads of checks done and nothing has come back to say I have any other condition. My doctor is pretty much helpless and my family don't actually remember I have IBS most of the times like amelia's. My most supportive family member is my older sister but even then she can get a bit frustrated when I shy away from social gatherings. So to answer the question, they both hurt and help my IBS I guess.
- —Guest ZPE
My IBS Is Invisible to Them
- I hate the fact that my family keeps forgetting about my IBS. They keep urging me to eats foods that are bad for me and they make plans without any regard for my need to be near a bathroom. I hate it!
- —amelia
