When an IBS sufferer chooses to come out of the closet and tell the world about their problems, there are a range of responses which non-sufferers can choose from.
There is the highly popular “It’s all in your head”, the classic “Stop thinking about it and it will go away”, and perhaps one of the most cherished of all – “You’re just saying that to get attention.”
This last one is a particular favorite of mine because it displays such a clear and deep understanding of the very nature of IBS, as well as the psychological issues of attention-seeking and loneliness.
I think there can be very few people in the world who, when confronted with an empty social calendar and soul-deep feelings of isolation, have not thought about inventing a bowel problem to relieve them of their woes.
Just by saying “I haven’t pooped for three weeks and my stomach feels like a bowling ball” you will find that you very quickly make friends, integrate yourself into society and receive all kinds of thrilling invitations.
And if you want to take things a step further you can mention the fact that your explosive diarrhea is regularly mistaken for a foghorn; this should get you one to three marriage proposals and you need never be loveless again.
I had to laugh at this. I’ve had IBS for 30 years (and I’m only 42!) and I can’t imagine talking about my bowel movements as a way of getting people to pay attention to me.
How embarassing.
Some people just need to get over the fact that not everyone is healthy and happy. If they ever suffered from one of these chronic illnesses, they’d understand that sometimes one just needs to vent. Just to complain to get off your chest.
Lisa