Psychosomatic aspects of gastrointestinal disease

Gastrointestinal diseases are notoriously protean in their modes of expression. The patient's description of symptoms is particularly important, but psychologic, physiologic, and social factors can cause data-base unreliability. Many of the patients termed crocks have symptoms referable to the gastrointestinal system, and they are at considerable health risk, since they usually alienate health care personnel. Patients with pancreatitis usually have a history of heavy alcohol intake which also needs treatment. Behavioral disturbances are related to toxic psychosis. Pancreatic carcinoma has a higher incidence of associated psychiatric symptoms than other types of cancer. Biologic, psychologic, and environmental factors all interact dynamically to cause peptic ulcer disease. There is a high correlation between the severity of inflammatory bowel disease and degree of emotional disturbances.