Psychological Therapies May Relieve Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Chronic stress affects disease, but techniques such as cognitive restructuring can help manage symptoms.

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New hope for those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may come from the counselor’s couch. Research has uncovered significant evidence that psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce inflammation levels in people living with IBD.

The research provides a ray of light for the more than 3 million Americans afflicted with these painful gastrointestinal conditions, which include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

New Hope for IBD Sufferers

Symptoms of IBD include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, appetite loss, and rectal bleeding. The condition severely affects patients’ mental health and quality of life. More than 720 new cases per 100,000 people—that’s nearly one in 100—are diagnosed a year.