Gut feelings 1. Mind, mood and gut in irritable bowel syndrome: approaches to psychiatric care.

OBJECTIVE

Psychiatrists are likely to encounter patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We aim to provide a clinically-focused summary of psychiatric comorbidities and management.

CONCLUSIONS

IBS affects up to 15% of the population. Antidepressants and brief psychotherapy can reduce symptom severity and improve coping. These treatments are effective for patients without comorbid mental illness, as well as those with increased somatisation, health-care seeking and sexual abuse histories.