IBS, brain structure, and the stigma of labeling
I was surprised at the headline news a few days ago when the results of some new research were highlighted pointing to structural differences in the brains of the women who have Irritable Bowel syndrome accompanied by pain. What struck me was the conclusion that everyone was reaching regarding the validity of these patients’ suffering, now that a brain link has been found.
Are we still distinguishing psychological from brain-based conditions? Do we hold some diagnoses more valid because of our inherent bias towards what has been referred to as mental illness in the past? The obvious answer to these still remains a sad ‘yes’. A lot more education is needed to remove these barriers.