Episode 37: The Mental Load of IBS (with guest Megan Mountcastle, LICSW)

Written By Katharine Seim

If you live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you already know it's not "just" a stomach issue. It's the mental math of always knowing where the bathroom is, the trips you don't book, and the memories you miss out on. In this episode, pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alex DiGrado and relationship/sex therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy sit down with Megan Mountcastle, a licensed social worker who specializes in the gut-brain connection, to talk about how IBS touches so many parts of everyday life. Megan walks through the "brain gut loop," explains why anxiety can act like a "cult leader," and why the goal of treatment isn't perfect symptom control. This is a conversation about learning to live a full life again, even when your gut doesn't always cooperate.

What you’ll learn:

Tune in if you've ever thought:

  • "I canceled the trip because I just couldn't risk it."

  • "I've researched everything and know my triggers, so why can't I get this under control?"

  • “Am I the only one dealing with this?”

  • “How do I get my life back and do all the things I want to do?”

Resources

Connect with us:

Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy

Website: rebeccaeudy.com

Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy

Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack

Dr. Alexandra DiGrado

Website: bostonpelvicpt.com

Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt

Newsletter: Under the Hood

Under the Hood Podcast

Instagram: @underthehooddocs

YouTube: @underthehooddocs

Website:underthehoodpod.com

Katharine Seim
Next

Episode 36: The Blame Game - Moving from Finger-Pointing to Connection