Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy: An Option to Enhance the Biopsychosocial Treatment of Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction

The most common gastrointestinal disorders encountered in secondary care are the functional gastrointestinal disorders, now known as disorders of gut brain interaction (DGBI) of which irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent example. The pathophysiology of these conditions is beginning to be better understood although they are likely to have a multifactorial basis rather than there being a single ‘cause’. The biopsychosocial treatment model recommends that rather than just relying on pharmacology, everything about an individual’s situation should be considered in their management including psychological and social factors. Gut directed hypnotherapy (GDH) has been shown to reduce symptoms, decrease psychological distress, improve quality of life and normalise the physiology of the gut in patients with IBS. It can also be used to explore the psychosocial issues affecting an individual and provides an opportunity to enhance a biopsychosocial approach to treating a range of gastrointestinal disorders. We have been researching GDH for IBS and related disorders for many years and some of the emerging evidence has now reached a point where, for instance, it is now endorsed for the treatment of IBS in a number of national and international guidelines.