title: The crossroads of gastroenterology and psychiatry - what benefits can psychiatry provide for the treatment of patients suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal symptoms are very common in the general population. Many of them coincide with mental disorders (especially with neuroses, stress-related disorders, somatisation disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and anxiety) that are associated with psychological trauma, conflicts, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assessment of the association between gastrointestinal complaints and stressful situations in relationships, among patients admitted to day hospital for neurotic and behavioural disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the likelihood of co-occurrence of abdominal symptoms and stressful situations, reported by patients before admission, in a large group of subjects treated with psychotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gastrointestinal symptoms were highly prevalent in the studied group (they were reported by 40-50% of patients). The most common complaints in women were: loss of appetite (52%), nausea (49%), and constipation and flatulence (45%). In men the most prevalent symptoms were: loss of appetite (47%), heartburn (44%), and flatulence (43%). Functional gastrointestinal symptoms (especially vomiting in cases of nervousness in females or heartburn in males) were significantly associated with greater likelihood of current difficulties in interpersonal relationships, such as conflicts with partner/spouse or parent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that in many cases symptoms of anxiety disorders or somatisation disorders coexisted with irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia.
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jerzy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sobański
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, University Hospital, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klasa
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mielimąka
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rutkowski
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dembińska
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Müldner-Nieckowski
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cyranka
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Bogna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smiatek-Mazgaj
authors.affiliation: Psychotherapy Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Lech
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Popiołek
keywords: anxiety; comorbidity; irritable bowel syndrome; somatisation