BLACKWELL: Millions of Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, and studies are finding mental health therapy is providing some relief.</s>PAUL: Yes, at this week's "STAYING WELL".</s>ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Kevin Yu, suffered for years with irritable bowel syndrome. A condition marked by stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both.</s>KEVIN YU, SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER, AMAZON: Only times that I really felt OK was either when I was sleeping or sleeping on the toilet.</s>COHEN: Yu, went to G.I. doctors who tried traditional treatments from over-the-counter drugs to diet changes, nothing worked.</s>YU: My doctors told me, "Kevin, we want to try something new with you."</s>COHEN: They sent him to a psychiatrist who prescribed an antidepressant. Then, he started seeing a health psychologist who diagnosed him with anxiety disorder and depression.</s>YU: She actually helped me realize that the stomach wasn't a source of my problems. I was under a tremendous amount of stress.</s>COHEN: After six weeks of talk therapy that included deep breathing and meditation, Kevin says his symptoms were virtually gone.</s>YU: One of the biggest takeaways was how you carry your anxiety, and how you carry your stress.</s>LAURIE KEEFER, HEALTH PSYCHOLOGIST, MT. SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: We have a lot of nerves in our guts that are messaging the brain about what's happening.</s>COHEN: Studies have found that mental health therapy has helped thousands of patients recover from</s>IBS. KEEFER: They learn to think in ways that were more helpful and less worrisome. They're really working on solving problems in a more flexible way.</s>YU: My psychiatrist and my psychologist helped give me my life back.</s>COHEN: Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, reporting.</s>ANNOUNCER: "STAYING WELL", brought to you by Bayer Aspirin. Learn more at bayeraspirin.com.
Fighting IBS With Mental Health Therapy.