About this session
Irritable bowel syndrome can involve abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea or changing bowel habits, but the pattern is different for everyone.
This session explains what IBS is, how the gut and brain interact and why symptoms may fluctuate even when someone has not changed what they eat.
Participants explore common symptom patterns, possible influences and the usual route to diagnosis and support.
The focus is on building a clearer understanding of IBS without blaming one food, assuming stress is the only cause or trying to manage symptoms through unnecessary restriction.
What your people take away
- Understand what IBS is and how it differs from inflammatory bowel disease
- Explore the main IBS symptom patterns and why they vary
- Learn how gut sensitivity, bowel movement and brain–gut communication fit together
- Consider how food, stress, sleep and routine may interact with symptoms
- Understand how IBS is usually assessed and diagnosed
- Identify practical next steps without relying on extreme food rules
Shared with you
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- What each length covers, 30 minutes to full day
- Everything that’s covered, part by part
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: Diagnosis, Food and Everyday ManagementA focused 30-minute session on three key points from Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management: how IBS is assessed, food without quick blame and the role of fiber.
- How IBS is assessed
- Food without quick blame
- The role of fiber
Covers 3 of 4 points in Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management.
60 minutes
Food patterns, fiber, assessment and when specialist approaches may help.
- Module 1: Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management.
90 minutes
Everything in the 60-minute session, plus symptom mapping and choosing a clear next step.
- Module 1: Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management
- Module 2: Building a Clearer Personal Understanding
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management and Building a Clearer Personal Understanding.
3 hours
Covers 3 of 4 parts: Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management, Building a Clearer Personal Understanding and What IBS Is and How It Can Feel.
Full day
Full coverage of all four modules, including what IBS is and why symptoms can change.
- Module 1: Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management
- Module 2: Building a Clearer Personal Understanding
- Module 3: What IBS Is and How It Can Feel
- Module 4: Why IBS Symptoms Can Change
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
What’s covered
Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management
Every length- How IBS is assessedThe facilitator explains how healthcare professionals consider symptom patterns, medical history and appropriate tests before diagnosing IBS.
- Food without quick blameParticipants compare meal timing, portion size, eating pace and food patterns before assuming one ingredient is responsible.
- The role of fiberThe facilitator compares different fiber sources and explains why some may feel more manageable than others.
- When a specialist approach may helpParticipants explore when structured approaches, such as a professionally guided low-FODMAP diet, may be considered.
Building a Clearer Personal Understanding
90 minutes and longer- Map the symptom patternParticipants create a simple picture of pain, bloating, bowel habits and timing across a typical week.
- Look at the whole dayParticipants add meals, sleep, stress, movement, medication and routine changes to the same map.
- Choose a useful next stepThe facilitator helps participants identify one manageable next step, such as improving meal regularity, reviewing fiber gradually or preparing clearer notes for an appointment.
- Know when to seek further adviceParticipants explore which new, persistent or concerning changes should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
What IBS Is and How It Can Feel
3 hours and longer- Understanding IBSThe facilitator explains IBS as a condition involving recurring abdominal symptoms and changes in bowel habits without the inflammation seen in conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Different symptom patternsParticipants compare IBS with constipation, IBS with diarrhea and mixed patterns that change over time.
- Pain, bloating and bowel changesThe session follows how abdominal discomfort may relate to bowel movements, gas, gut sensitivity and changes in stool consistency.
- IBS and ibd are not the sameThe facilitator compares IBS with inflammatory bowel disease using clear differences in inflammation, testing and treatment.
Why IBS Symptoms Can Change
Full day only- The brain–gut connectionThe facilitator explains how the brain and digestive system communicate through nerves and other signaling pathways.
- A more sensitive gutParticipants explore how the gut may become more sensitive to stretching, gas or normal digestive movement.
- Bowel movement and timingThe session compares digestion that moves more quickly, more slowly or alternates between the two.
- Why one day differs from anotherParticipants consider how food, sleep, stress, hormones, illness, travel and disrupted routines may combine across a week.
Who it’s for
- Employees who want a clearer understanding of IBS and common symptom patterns
- People exploring brain–gut connections without restrictive diet advice
- Managers supporting team members with IBS-related workplace needs
- Anyone who wants practical next steps alongside appropriate clinical care
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about Understanding IBS
How long is Understanding IBS?
Understanding IBS runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management: how IBS is assessed, food without quick blame and the role of fiber. A 60-minute session covers Diagnosis, Food and Everyday Management in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Building a Clearer Personal Understanding. A 3-hour session adds What IBS Is and How It Can Feel. A full-day session adds Why IBS Symptoms Can Change.
Can Understanding IBS be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book Understanding IBS?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open Understanding IBS to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.