IBS and stress/ mood? (even more specifically ASD/ADHD) - anyone experience this/ have any advice ?

[Dodecahedr0n]

Hi there. I have failed to find any food triggers of my IBS, from tracking things on an app “Cara care” it’s evident that my IBS flares up a lot more when I am stressed and/or low in mood. My IBS symptoms consist of sudden and frequent urges to go, where I spent up to 30 minutes on the toilet with loose stools. I struggle with mental health issues (mood regulation issues, diagnosed ASD & ADHD). Because it’s not diet related I’m not sure how to help it. Could anyone share any advice for this? I debated paying for “Nerva” the hypnotherapy based IBS app but I’m skeptical.

I’m working on managing stress / mood regulation as a separate thing too, as I assume once this is better the IBS should improve, but I was just wondering if there was anything I could try more specifically targeted at IBS ? I’m also just curious to hear of anyone with similar mental health experiences/ diagnoses whether they have gut related issues too? It seems common to co-exist - I’ve read a lot about the gut brain axis and it’s very interesting how it all interlinks.

Thanks!

[b1b1b1]

Have you tried the FODMAP diet. There is a lot of info about it on the internet. It was developed by Monash University in Australia. My doctor recommended it to me.

[xjrs]

You make some interesting comments. I will pm you with some general tips to help IBS.

[Suecoo66]

Download the JC hypnosis app it's free and loads of free sessions on there.Stress and anxiety will affect IBS. Another thing you could consider is CBD oil to help with your ADHD or anxiety etc

[WellySam]

I could have written your post! Stress and anxiety are my main triggers and leads to bowel incontinence.

I take a pragmatic approach as some of the options have other consequences. Firstly I have made changes in my life to try to reduce stress and anxiety, including chaining jobs and cutting sone people (incl some family) out of my life.

I also have a routine for when it flares up so I am not pitched into a mini crisis each time. Happy to share these via a private message

[Smeese]

My grandson aged 12 who is diagnosed with ASD has gut issues - he is very sensitive to certain foods and has always very instinctively avoided the things which aggravate it. He won't drink milk and avoids other dairy and gluten foods but he insists he has a probiotic drink every day (he seems to be okay with Actimel and he also likes Yakult). We were told when he was small by the paediatric team that gut support would help and I have read it several times while researching on his behalf. He calms himself by drawing and painting or going for a walk with his binoculars to look for birds - maybe you have a soothing hobby which helps? I've read that knitting, jigsaws, walking or anything repetitive balances out the anxiety.

[Boo0102]

I have had IBS for decades. (ADHD with ASD tendencies) Truly it was only when after a weekend literally spent on the toilet that I decided to drastically change my diet. At first I cut gluten - that was hard as bread and cakes and cookies are my downfall, but not as hard as I thought it would be. Then I cut dairy - and I’ve always been a big milk, cheese, yogurt kind of gal. Finally I started looking at other food triggers, eggs can sometimes be a trigger for me if I eat them on their own, but not cooked in something. This gave my gut time to heal.I would absolutely recommend getting on a good probiotic. Research a food elimination diet. One health professional that I started. Following years ago was Dr. Mark Hyman out of the Cleveland Clinic.

One of the biggest learnings was that these unhealthy foods actually program my body to want more of them, so my body is working against me.

Feed your body nutritiously, and the cravings will go away. Foods that you once thought were yucky, now are good.

The sensory challenges you have need to be addressed, either with an OT, or maybe on your own with some research.

One step at a time, one after the other is how you make a change.

Hang in there!

[Dodecahedr0n]

Thank you everyone for your responses and advice!