The gastrointestinal system is central to so many chronic illnesses-mental and physical. This article is interesting in that is sites examples of the increasing attention probiotics are receiving in the medical community in the treatment of mental disorders, IBS, and pain disorders.
While the use of probiotics in the treatment of chronic illness is definitely an art and not something that may simply be administered alone and without a completely treatment plan in mind, they are often fundamental to the process of a patient having been chronically ill regaining wellness.
MAny times, people come to me saying that they are too sensitive to take probiotics, and while I understand what they are saying, what it tells me is that the probiotics have not previously been administered in a manner that person could tolerate.
It is wise to keep this in mind when reading an article such as this one. It is exciting to read these kinds of articles, and I am thrilled that researchers are giving probiotics their due, but, don't go out and just start taking them bc that can often backfire on you. ONe needs the guidance of someone having the expertise to administer them properly.
In any case, here is the article, it is a great one:):http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201012/keen-cuisine-the-pros-probiotics
Comments
Probiotics for mental problems
Thank you so much for this article-it gives me hope for my anxiety;which has become an elusive creature- far too often taken over by fear. I felt a failure after cognitive behavioral therapy, which tries to teach you that your fears are irrational. OK, I know they're irrational, I just can't flipping stop them. I don't care how many graphs you give me to chart them, they aren't going away. In reality, knowing that they're irrational and still not being able to stop them, makes it so much worse. I tried telling my therapist, Mr. Wonderful, that I knew that there was something wrong, chemically, physically, that I could feel the two sides of my brain fighting against each other. We won't even talk about the look that I got about yeast and toxins.
Anyway, Dr. Brizman, your timing once again speaks to me. I've been a believer about yeast and the bladder, I'd just about run out of hope for yeast and brain chemistry. I had started to ask myself? How much could one zaanax, after seven months, hurt if I simply can't take it anymore? While I still don't understand that, I will hang in there and hope.
Denise
Less crazy
In short, this article made me feel less crazy for feeling crazy. Mental disorders are still so stigmatized, but beyond that they're often considered psychosomatic, or something you're volitionally causing, and thus have (more) control over... when in reality they may be as much physiological issues as any other conditions. Dealing with others who stigmatize/misunderstand/are ignorant of this can be infuriating, but even for the patient who knows better, it can still lead to getting down on oneself, i.e. thinking "Why can't I get a handle on things?" (I know, because I do this all the time!). It's sad, because it's unproductive and destructive, piling more stress on top of an already stressful situation.
Food for thought
I realize what a huge issue this is, but, I am reminded again of just how much after reading these two posts. I am going to look for more articles outlining these kinds of connections for everyone in lieu of commenting myself. But, I will say, that I believe the mind body connection is a two way, rather than a one way street. So often we hear that the mind effects the body, but, the other way around is highly under discussed. I think this is a huge subject, and certainly in Chinese medicine it is a very big subject. IN Chinese medicine, there are different emotions that are attributable to each organ as it functions in health and as it functions in disease. And, of course in reality there are so many shades in between.Thank you both for posting these really important feelings on this subject. It is important for everyone to hear.
Coping with mental anguish
Dr. Brizman,
I love to project me onto everyone else - So, I could be off mark here-but from reading endlessly blogs going back to 2008, it appears that emotional problems rear themselves here and there. I get the feeling that a lot of us are just coping until we just can't cope anymore. What I'm wondering, are your patients letting you know, before they feel that they can't take another minute, that you have herbs, that can be increased to a correct level, that will make life more than just tolerable? Or, am I the only one that doesn't speak up before they get desperate? I will risk that I am not and share.
In addition to IC, I've survived breast cancer three times. At the moment, I am sitting here at 6:00 in the morning, fairly calm, waiting to go to work, to wait until I can phone in to my oncologist for liver blood results and tumor marker results showing if breast cancer might have returned for the fourth time. I am off the roller coaster ride of finding that "right" conventional mental medication. I have a grocery list of which ones I've tried and what they've done to me. While I can't tell you that this moment is a walk in the park. What I can tell you, is that I am not the desperate, crazy, terrified, overly medicated person that I was the last time that I had to do this. So, for anyone who needs to know this, that is hanging on by a thread - SPEAK UP - you can be helped.
Denise
So many people having IC struggle emotionally, but, one would have to do quite an extensive study to determine how that mental anguish compares to society in general. The human condition is struggling perhaps. However, there are certain common types of struggling with IC-that is true from what I have found. I think I will do another post on it-I have done many but rather fragmented. I will try to put a more cohesive one together that encapsulates the many issues that people with IC face.