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2. Journal
Journaling is such an overlooked positive coping skill, but it is one that deserves your attention. Journaling allows you to process thoughts, feelings and trends in your behavior. This information lets you compare how you feel to your IBS symptoms. Whenever you have an inconsistent medical condition with unstable symptoms, chances are good that patterns will emerge. If you do not document your findings, there is no way to put the pieces together.
Think of journaling as a way to gather a lot of data. Once you gather all of this information, you identify trends and take the steps to change it. If you are new to journaling, consider tracking physical symptoms, mental health symptoms, activity levels, sleep and diet. After a few weeks of entries, take a look back at the information to assess. Journaling gives a sense of power and control over your condition, which beats back anxiety and stress.
Antidepressants for IBS have shown to be helpful in managing some symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, urgency, constipation and nausea.
