Although the exact connection is not fully understood, research suggests that people with IBS may have an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder and vice versa.
Constant pain, fatigue, and the other challenges of managing IBS can affect your mental health, especially if you’re already prone to mood changes. The physical symptoms might trigger depressive episodes or make it harder to control your moods.
There’s also growing evidence about the gut-brain connection, meaning your gut health can actually affect your brain and mood. IBS can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your gut, and these changes could potentially worsen the emotional symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Understanding how these conditions are connected can help you better manage both. By focusing on reducing inflammation and maintaining a healthy gut, you might find a more balanced approach to handling both your physical and emotional health.