Irritable bowel syndrome. Toward a biopsychosocial systems understanding

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are usually a subset of a broader problem that meets DSM-III criteria for depression, anxiety disorder, somatization disorder, or adjustment disorder. A biopsychosocial perspective that addresses multigenerational family patterns of anxiety, depression, and somatization of stress suggests guidelines for understanding and treating patients with IBS symptoms. Effective treatment focuses primarily on helping patients cope with emotional disorders and psychosocial stressors, and secondarily on direct symptom relief. Psychotherapy is a valuable adjunct to medical treatment. The medications most likely to yield lasting benefits are the antidepressants.