Healthy mind, healthy gut: psychological and emotional co-morbidities in functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGIDs)

Abstract

The exact underlying pathophysiological mechanism of functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGIDs) are not yet fully understood. The onset of FGIDs has been shown to be related to psychological factors. Studies conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, have shown the impact of emotional stress, civil war, exposure to adverse life events including physical, emotional and psychological abuse, psychological maladjustment, personality abnormalities and behavioural disorders on the development of FGIDs in Sri Lankan children. Psychological factors are believed to alter gastrointestinal functions causing FGIDs via the brain-gut axis, which is the bi-directional communication between the higher centres of the brain and gut. Emerging pharmacological treatment modalities for FGIDs target receptors in the brain-gut axis, whereas most non-pharmacological therapies are based on improvement of psychological wellbeing and relaxation of the mind.