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 Trivializing
Pain
By Gail-Elaine
Tinker, M.S.
This may be the ultimate celebrity trivia question: What
do Tyra Banks, Camille Grammer, Jenny McCarthy, Cher, Kristen
Dunst, Fran Dresher, Cybill Shepherd, and Lynda Carter have
in common? ---What do these eight have in common with the
late Elizabeth Taylor, Kurt Cobain, Sigmund Freud, and Adolph
Hitler? Are you baffled?
These twelve are among the most noted or confessed sufferers
of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Banks and Grammer have
spoken publically of their battles with IBS. In 2007, Shepherd
was spokeswoman for a medication (no longer available) which
she had used to treat her IBS. Carter became an IBS advocate
when her mother was diagnosed after suffering for 30 years.
Cobain wrote about his IBS pain and his use of heroin to cope
with the pain.
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
defines Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS as a disorder characterized
most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation,
and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress,
but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not
lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. Most people can
control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed
medications. For some people, however, IBS can be disabling.
They may be unable to work, attend social events, or even
travel short distances. IBS can occur at any age, but it often
begins in adolescence or early adulthood. It is more common
in women. About 1 in 6 people in the U.S. have symptoms of
IBS. It is the most common intestinal complaint for which
patients are referred to a gastroenterologist.
IBS is very common, affecting an estimated 9% to 23% of the
world's population. The International Foundation for Functional
Gastrointestinal Disorders IFFGD.org mission is to focus attention
on important health messages about IBS diagnosis, treatment,
and quality-of-life issues. Since 1997, April has been designated
as IBS Awareness Month.
There are currently 245 clinical research trials investigating
various treatments for IBS including dietary supplements (Probiotics,
Selenium, Turmeric Green Tea), yoga, expressive writing, electro-acupuncture,
low carbohydrate diets, Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral
therapy and hypnosis as well as more traditional pharmacologic
therapies.
As a practicing psychotherapist, I would be remiss if I neglected
to mention the benefits of cognitive therapy in more detail.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the branch of psychotherapy
that says our thoughts can influence our actions and our emotions.
This form of psychotherapy concentrates on the role our thoughts
play. People suffering from IBS often have negative perceptions
of their condition and are very self-conscious. They will
often wonder how others perceive them, for instance, when
they make repeated trips to the restroom. Compounding the
negative effects of the symptoms with negative thought patterns
can exacerbate the illness and form a vicious cycle where
one leads to the other.
Cognitive therapy is based on the assumption that there are
certain expectations (cognitions) that determine the way people
respond to situations in their lives. The problems arise when
these expectations are irrational or not normal, leading to
a negative perception of oneself. CBT is relatively short
term and very structured. It focuses on teaching people to
recognize and understand their negative expectations so they
can react more appropriately.
Behavior techniques are effective for problems that are associated
with patterns that require correction. It is a common form
of treatment and has been used for IBS, alcohol and drug abuse,
eating disorders, phobias, anxiety disorders, and obsessive
compulsive behaviors. Behavior therapies include relaxation
training and systemic de-sensitization. The relaxation training
helps a person gain control over feelings of tension. Systemic
desensitization decreases a person's fear of certain thoughts
that could start or complicate the symptoms of IBS. Deep muscle
relaxation is taught to counter anxiety, so the individual
is taught to envision soothing and safe experiences. Then
the person visualizes uncomfortable scenes or scenes that
provoke anxiety. The two images are repeatedly coupled until
the disturbing scenes no longer initiate anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people recognize the self-defeating
thoughts as they happen and look for better or more optimistic
ways to view their condition. In addition, CBT empowers people
to take better control of their body's autonomic functions
without the use of drugs.
A randomized controlled trial in Germany comparing relaxation
training with cognitive-behavioral therapy and general advice
with dietary consultations showed positive results. The study
found significant benefit for IBS with intensive therapy tailored
more to the individual, including education on relaxation
techniques, GI function, social skills, and recognizing irrational
thoughts. Good therapist-patient relationship where there
was sufficient explanation of the various techniques further
reduced anxiety and symptoms.
So, if you or someone you love has IBS, more than likely many
attempts at treatment have been made. Special diets, exercise,
medications, treatments, all take up time, energy, money and
other resources. It is important to know that if psychotherapeutic
techniques are suggested it doesn't mean that IBS is "in
your head," far from it. We are learning so much about
the mind/body connection that I hope you will draw inspiration
and hope for your suffering.
So, back to our trivia ….I offered 12 famous names from celebrity
and history. But if 1 in 6 in the US are sufferers from IBS
or another digestive disorder, you can bet that more of the
famous are also struggling under the pain and 'shame' of the
condition. Oh, there is one other name to add to this list,
not so very famous, but a writer-therapist you may know, Ms.
Gail-Elaine Tinker, M.S. and IBS sufferer.
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| Gail-Elaine Tinker, M.S.
is a psychotherapist in private practice on the Lehigh Valley
PA. She was born in Philadelphia in May 1960, eldest of three
children. She was greatly interested in writing, language, theater
and music throughout her youth which opened opportunity such
as performance, travel, and academics. Gail-Elaine had planned
a career in teaching English but upon seeing the state of secondary
education in the 80s, she re-tooled her skills to become an
addictions counselor.
She was married and has a gifted son with
AS. She had a career in Art and entrepreneurial publishing
while raising him. Upon her divorce she furthered her credentials
with a Masters in Clinical Psychology and Master Levels in
Reiki training. Her goal is to change the stigma of mental
illness and facilitate positive solutions for her clients.
Gail-Elaine continues her work in trauma,
chronic pain, grief, and addictions in her general practice
of psychotherapy with art and somatic psychology. She serves
as Therapist, Consultant, Life Coach, Reiki Teacher, Advocate,
Community Speaker, Blogger [www.tinkerpsychotherapy.com],
and also as Features Contributor for PCM.
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