Mind–body treatments for children with functional gastrointestinal disorders

Journal article : Review

SUMMARY: Paediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (P-FGIDs) are common, affecting up to 25% of children worldwide. They are characterised by chronic abdominal pain and/or altered bowel habits without an underlying disease pathology. P-FGIDs are often associated with co-occurring anxiety and depression across all ages and treating P-FGIDs may provide an opportunity to develop a young person's wider emotion regulation capacities. Using a fictitious case vignette, we outline the range of psychosocial and biomedical treatments for the disorder and the need for an integrated and holistic approach. We propose that by intervening early and enabling children to be curious about, rather than fearful of, their bodily sensations, clinicians may be able to alter harmful illness trajectories in both pain and psychiatric domains.

Authors: Stein, K; Howarth, L; Zucker, NL

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Journal: BJPsych Advances
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 365-374
• Publication date: 2025-01-27
• Acceptance date: 2024-11-30
• DOI: 10.1192/bja.2024.76
• EISSN: 2056-4686
• ISSN: 2056-4678
• Language: English
• Keywords: Psychosocial interventions; child and adolescent psychiatry; education and training; childhood experience; trauma and stressor-related disorders
• Subtype: Review