Yes, certain psychological treatments have been effective in reducing abdominal pain and diarrhea in IBS patients. These approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, stress-management counseling, hypnosis and relaxation.Medications, particularly tricyclic antidepressants in low doses, may help with physical pain, because they can affect the way pain messages are received by the brain. In addition to this therapeutic effect on pain, these medications when taken at higher doses can have a role in restoring balance to brain chemicals associated with depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.