Hauser G, Pletikosic S, Tkalcic M. Cognitive behavioral approach to understanding irritable bowel syndrome. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20(22): 6744-6758 [PMID: 24944466 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i22.6744]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dr. Goran Hauser, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia. goran.hauser@medri.uniri.hr
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Topic Highlight
Open-Access Policy of This Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 14, 2014; 20(22): 6744-6758 Published online Jun 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i22.6744
Cognitive behavioral approach to understanding irritable bowel syndrome
Goran Hauser, Sanda Pletikosic, Mladenka Tkalcic
Goran Hauser, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Sanda Pletikosic, Mladenka Tkalcic, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Author contributions: Hauser G contributed ideas about the concept and writing of the paper; Pletikosic S contributed to the literature search, and writing and final revision of the paper; Tkalcic M contributed with planning the concept of the paper, and writing and final revision of the paper.
Supported by Ministry of Science, Education and Sport, Republic of Croatia, No. 009-0092660-2655
Correspondence to: Dr. Goran Hauser, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia. goran.hauser@medri.uniri.hr
Telephone: +385-51-658122 Fax: +385-51-658122
Received: October 28, 2013 Revised: December 19, 2013 Accepted: March 5, 2014 Published online: June 14, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Irritable bowel syndrome is a complex, biopsychosocial disorder usually developing under stress, which builds upon hypersensitization, underlined by physiological specificities and heightened neuroticism. Symptom onset is followed by inappropriate cognitive interpretations that can be accompanied by affective disturbances. We consider increased attention to visceral sensation and different manifestations of anxiety to be key components that may lead to symptom exacerbation and perpetuation. This applies to patients who express higher trait neuroticism and are more prone to interpret even mild somatic changes as serious symptoms. An individualized approach is necessary for each patient to estimate current physical and psychological status.
