Abstract
The irritable bowel syndrome is discussed together with some of its theories, methods of investigation and various treatment regimens. Eight case histories are reported. In each patient, symptoms appeared to be precipitated by situations interpreted by that patient as stressful. A programme of prospective desensitization using hypnosis is described. Where symptoms of depression were additionally present, antidepressant medication was prescribed. This was subsequently phased out as and when indicated. Where patients had been taking antidiarrhoeal or antispasmodic drugs, various stool bulking agents or benzodiazepines, these were also slowly discontinued as treatment progressed. Cases were followed up from 3 months to 12 years. In 2 cases recurrence of symptoms was again successfully treated. There was no recurrence of any of the bowel symptoms in any other patient. The results support the view that the irritable bowel syndrome is psychogenic in origin.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Calloway S. P., Fonagy P. Aerophagia and irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet. 1985 Dec 14;2(8468):1368–1368. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)92665-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Chambers J. B., Bland J. M. Hyperventilation and irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet. 1986 Jan 25;1(8474):221–221. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(86)90703-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Cohen S. I., Reed J. L. The treatment of "nervous diarrhoea" and other conditioned autonomic disorders by desensitization. Br J Psychiatry. 1968 Oct;114(515):1275–1280. doi: 10.1192/bjp.114.515.1275. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Johnsen R., Jacobsen B. K., Førde O. H. Associations between symptoms of irritable colon and psychological and social conditions and lifestyle. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1986 Jun 21;292(6536):1633–1635. doi: 10.1136/bmj.292.6536.1633. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- KIRSNER J. B., PALMER W. L. The irritable colon. Gastroenterology. 1958 Mar;34(3):491–501. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Latimer P. R. Irritable bowel syndrome: a behavioral model. Behav Res Ther. 1981;19(6):475–483. doi: 10.1016/0005-7967(81)90074-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- London P., Hart J. T., Leibovitz M. P. EEG alpha rhythms and susceptibility to hypnosis. Nature. 1968 Jul 6;219(5149):71–72. doi: 10.1038/219071a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- McCarthy J. H. Hypnosis and anxiety as conditioned reflex responses. Med J Aust. 1967 Jan 21;1(3):127–128. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1967.tb21065.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- PAULLEY J. W. Psychotherapy in ulcerative colitis. Lancet. 1956 Aug 4;271(6936):215–218. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(56)90911-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Switz D. M. What the gastroenterologist does all day. A survey of a state society's practice. Gastroenterology. 1976 Jun;70(6):1048–1050. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Thompson W. G., Heaton K. W. Functional bowel disorders in apparently healthy people. Gastroenterology. 1980 Aug;79(2):283–288. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ulett G. A., Akpinar S., Itil T. M. Hypnosis: physiological, pharmacological reality. Am J Psychiatry. 1972 Jan;128(7):799–805. doi: 10.1176/ajp.128.7.799. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Waxman D. Hypnosis in the psychotherapy of neurotic illness. Br J Med Psychol. 1975 Dec;48(4):339–348. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8341.1975.tb02340.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Welch G. W., Stace N. H., Pomare E. W. Specificity of psychological profiles of irritable bowel syndrome patients. Aust N Z J Med. 1984 Apr;14(2):101–104. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1984.tb04267.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Whorwell P. J., Prior A., Faragher E. B. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe refractory irritable-bowel syndrome. Lancet. 1984 Dec 1;2(8414):1232–1234. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(84)92793-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]