People experiencing IBS face many challenges trying to manage their condition and they are desperate to find a cure. One survey [1] reported that most IBS patients would give up 10 to 15 years of life expectancy for an instant cure.
That’s how profound the impact IBS can be on a person’s professional and personal life and their overall quality of life. There’s the persistent daily life disruption. With the fluctuating nature of IBS, there may be times when the person feels fine and can engage in normal activities, and other times when their symptoms are too debilitating and severe to leave the house. The study [1] referred to above, also found that those experiencing IBS restrict their activities an average of 73 days per year. That’s missed workdays, social withdrawal, avoided travel - lives constrained by the fear of symptoms.
The psychological toll of living with an unpredictable, poorly understood condition can be huge. Often family, friends, and work colleagues may not completely understand or accept the impact IBS has on the person. A recent survey [2] sponsored by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) found that of the more than 2,000 patient respondents, 69% reported that their IBS them feel “like they are not normal” and 69% said their symptoms stood in the way of achieving their full potential.
It's estimated that only about 30% of people living with IBS have consulted a doctor about their symptoms. Think about that. For every diagnosed case, there are potentially two more people suffering in silence. And even when people do seek help, there's often a significant delay. In a survey [1] of nearly 2,000 IBS patients, the average time from first symptoms to diagnosis was over six years. Six years of suffering, six years of being told, 'it's just stress,' six years of trying to manage their symptoms alone.
Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet. No magic pill. No definitive cure.
So, when someone experiencing IBS comes to a hypnotist specializing in gut directed hypnotherapy (GDH) for help, it’s likely they’ve been struggling for a long time. They’re desperate. They've tried numerous solutions - medication, diet, therapy but haven't found the level of relief they desire. GDH is often perceived by them as their last hope for relief.
And whilst GDH is not a cure, it CAN achieve remarkable results. It's a specialized, evidence-based application of clinical hypnotherapy that uses structured protocols, gut-specific suggestions, and targeted imagery to retrain gut-brain communication and reduce IBS symptoms. Backed by over 30 years of clinical trials 70-80% of people who complete a GDH program experience a significant reduction in their symptoms. And studies have found the results are long lasting.
If you'd like to know more about gut directed hypnotherapy take a look around my website or book a 30 minute consult with me
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