[Psychosomatic disorders of the colon]

The clinical and experimental psychological examination of 90 patients with the syndrome of the excitable colon has demonstrated that this pathology is a typical psychosomatic disorder. The dynamics of the disorder may involve three stages: psychosomatic reactions, psychosomatic cycles and psychopathization. The treatment of the syndrome should be conducted in accordance with the disease stage. At the stage of psychosomatic reactions, the treatment is to be oriented mainly to the psychotherapeutic action. The combination of amitriptyline (antidepressant and antidiarrheal effects) with teralen or phrenolon (antialgic effect) turned out most effective at the stage of the psychosomatic cycles. Psychotherapy administered in different varieties also appeared more effective when coupled with biological treatment. It is necessary that behavioral correctors (neuleptide) be included into drug treatment at the stage of psychopathization. In this case the role of psychotherapy slightly decreases. All the stages require the use of therapeutic means effecting motor function of the intestine and enzymatic system of the body.