Defense mechanisms utilized by patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome

• Main Author: Pokroy, Raylene
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Irritable colon - Patients - Research - South Africa; Irritable colon - Research - South Africa.; Irritable colon - Psychological aspects.; Stress management - Research - South Africa.
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6764

M.A. === The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) differed from non- IBS clients in terms of their defense mechanisms. Although irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders encountered by primary care physicians and gastroenterologists, it is one of the least well understood. Part of the reason for this is the lack of real consensus of opinion regarding the nature of the complaint (Read, 1985). Today it is widely agreed that irritable bowel syndrome is a psychosomatic disorder, that is, a disorder of physiological functioning and anatomical structure, which are determined for most part by psychological factors (Lachman, 1972; Moser, 1986). Evidence linking psychological variables to gastrointestinal disorders is surprisingly sparse, and all too often confusing and contradicting. Such conflicting results probably reflect the many methodological weaknesses common to all areas of study (Bennett, .1989). Although evaluation of the impact of psychological interventions on both symptomatic and psychological relief has been pursued, its findings provide tangential support for the importance of psychological disorders. Nevertheless, these studies have shown a consistency of positive results not found in the etiological research (Read, 1985). Using a variety of techniques, most with the therapeutic goal of stress reduction, psychological therapy has been shown to produce. symptomatic relief, increase periods of remission, and to reduce the impact of stress resulting from severe symptomatic flare ups in IBS (Bennett, 1989). In .addition, most IBS patients may not identify their gut symptoms in psychological terms. Therefore, they inappropriately and repeatedly subject themselves to unnecessary, expensive and harmful medical procedures in search of an organic cause. Further research into the psychological factors of IBS, including the defense mechanisms underlying it may lead to a reduction in type of anxiety (Folkman, Lazarus, Gruen & DeLongis, 1986). The ways in which people cope with intense emotions may have a significant effect on their psychological and physical health. StresS factors and the suppression of emotions, for example through defense mechanisms, are thought to be especially relevant in the etiology and exacerbation of psychosomatic illness (Ogden & Von Sturmer, 1984). The role that defense mechanisms play in the development of IBS forms the cornerstone of the present research.