Psychological Aspects of Inflammatory Bowel Disease A biopsychosocial approach

In the Western world around 360 in every 100,000 individuals have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a relapsing-remitting autoimmune disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. Its impact on individual functioning across physical and psychosocial domains is significant and psychological distress is a common feature, with research suggesting that active IBD is associated with one of the highest rates of depression and anxiety of all chronic illnesses.

Despite the high prevalence of mental health co-morbidities in IBD, psychological illness remains largely undertreated, with studies showing that 60% of IBD patients experiencing mental health problems do not receive adequate help. In this book, Knowles and Mikocka-Walus bring together world experts who practice integrated and holistic approach in their care for IBD patients, to provide an overview of research across a range of topics associated with the biopsychosocial treatment of IBD. Each chapter provides an up-to-date comprehensive consolidation and evaluation of the current literature alongside recommendations for practice.

Key themes include:

• current understanding of the interrelationship of the neurological and biological aspects of IBD
• common concerns and issues individuals with IBD face
• exploring challenges across individual life-stages
• current evidence for psychosocial interventions
• recommendations for future directions of biopsychosocial work.

Psychological Aspects of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A biopsychosocial approach is a key resource for researchers, practitioners and academics considering psychosocial aspects of the disease and psychological interventions. It will also appeal to health psychologists and mental health practitioners working with clients with IBD, as well as gastroenterologists interested in a comprehensive and holistic approach to IBD management.

1. IBD: What Is It and Does Psyche Have Anything to Do With It? Jane M. Andrews 2. Stress, Distress and IBD Kathryn A. Sexton and Charles N. Bernstein 3. The Brain-gut Axis (BGA) and Psychological Processes in IBD Emeran A. Mayer, Sylvie Bradesi, Arpana Gupta and David J. Katibian 4. Microbiota and Psychological Processes and IBD Peter De Cruz 5. Diagnostic Procedures in IBD: Addressing Common Client Concerns Gregory T. C. Moore 6. Psychosocial Aspects of IBD in Paediatric and Adolescent Patients: The Impact of Transition James Lindsay 7. IBD in the Elderly Marci Reiss and Sunanda Kane 8. Sexual Function, Contraception and IBD Reme Mountifield 9. Fertility and pregnancy in patients with IBD C. Janneke van der Woude 10. IBS in IBD, and Psychological Implications Anil K. Asthana and Peter R. Gibson 11. IBD, Cancer, and its Psychosocial Impact Simon R. Knowles and Finlay Macrae 12. Patients and IBD Surgery: Rightful Fears and Preconceptions Antonino Spinelli and Francesco Pagnini 13. Standard Medical Care, Side-effects and Compliance Philip Hendy, Yoram Inspector and Ailsa Hart 14. Diet, Nutrition, and Mental Health in IBD Sue Shepherd 15. Fatigue and IBD Daniel van Langenberg 16. Cross-Cultural Aspects of IBD Ray Boyapati and Christopher Leung 17. Psychological Assessment and the Use of Questionnaires in IBD Cohorts Simon R. Knowles 18. IBD, Psychosocial Functioning and the Role of Nurses Julie Duncan 19. Psychological Treatment Outcomes in IBD, Methodological Issues, and Future Directions Lesley A. Graff 20. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Hypnotherapy for IBD Laurie Keefer 21. Antidepressants and IBD Antonina A. Mikocka-Walus 22. Complementary and Alternative Medicine in IBD Randi Opheim and Bjørn Moum 23. Future Directions in IBD – eHealth Simon R. Knowles 24. Future Directions in IBD – The Biopsychosocial Care, the Integrated Care Antonina A. Mikocka-Walus

Simon R. Knowles is Senior Lecturer of Psychology at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. His research and clinical interests include biopsychosocial aspects of gastroenterology. Simon runs an active private clinical psychology practice that specialises in working with individuals with chronic illnesses of the gastrointestinal system. He has several honorary positions including Melbourne University, Royal Melbourne Hospital, and St Vincent’s Hospital (Melbourne).

Antonina A. Mikocka-Walus is Senior Lecturer and Lead of Psychology in Relation to Health at the University of York, UK, and Visiting Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Adelaide, Australia. She specialises in psycho-gastroenterology and conducts studies on psychotherapies and antidepressant treatment in chronic gastrointestinal conditions.