I've added quite a special page to my main IBS Tales site today - a page about the age-old "It's all in your head" remark.
I still receive far too many emails from IBS sufferers who say that their friends and family blame their IBS on their emotional state or their lack of mental control, or whatever other ridiculous reason they have for saying something as offensive and hurtful as "It's all in your head".
So I wanted to produce a page to help sufferers fight back against this appalling phrase. What I've done is collect quotes from the most respected IBS and digestive-related medical institutions in the world, each one stating categorically that IBS is not a psychological or psychiatric disorder.
If your loved one insists on saying that your IBS is in your mind, then they basically have to challenge the expertise of hundreds of top gastroenterologists. Are they really that brave?
I mostly get "if you'd just eat so and so you'd be fine." Stupid, stupid people, arrrrghhhh! lol....ooops, I forgot that I get angry so that's why I have IBS. Stupid, stupid people!
The people who don't necessarily give me eating advice but look down on me don't understand what I have to deal with on a regular basis. My absenteeism to family functions, work, etc... is higher than it should be and I'm made out to be the BAD GUY. They really don't understand but atleast I've got the truth on my side. Not much of a consolation prize but it beats being ignorant I guess.
I reckon when you are having cramps from IBS that thinking it's all in your head really distracts the pain.
It's something that you can say to yourself, but if someone else says it, it's like "OH HELL NO SISTER YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT!"
My 2 cents.