The Importance of Relationships in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review

Chronic illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome are not experienced by patients in isolation. They live in a context of relationships, including spouses and partners, other family members, friends and business associates. Those relationships can have an effect, both positive and negative, on t...

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Main Authors: Mary-Joan Gerson, Charles D. Gerson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Gastroenterology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/157340
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author Mary-Joan Gerson
Charles D. Gerson
author_facet Mary-Joan Gerson
Charles D. Gerson
author_sort Mary-Joan Gerson
collection DOAJ
description Chronic illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome are not experienced by patients in isolation. They live in a context of relationships, including spouses and partners, other family members, friends and business associates. Those relationships can have an effect, both positive and negative, on the course of illness and may also be affected by the experience of living with a chronic illness like IBS. We review the general literature regarding the effect of relationship factors on chronic illness followed by a focus on IBS symptomatology. We then discuss the challenges experienced by partners of IBS patients, followed by the effects of spousal violence, the particular relationship of mothers with IBS and their children, the effects of social support, and the importance of family dynamics and IBS. The final segment includes conclusions and recommendations. The topic, relationships and IBS, may have a significant effect on the lives of IBS patients and deserves more attention than it has received.
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spelling doaj-art-9d643e20fec840f19eda067245527fcf2025-08-20T03:38:23ZengWileyGastroenterology Research and Practice1687-61211687-630X2012-01-01201210.1155/2012/157340157340The Importance of Relationships in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A ReviewMary-Joan Gerson0Charles D. Gerson1New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, 80 Central Park West, Suite C, New York, NY 10023, USADivision of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 80 Central Park West, Suite B, New York, NY 10023, USAChronic illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome are not experienced by patients in isolation. They live in a context of relationships, including spouses and partners, other family members, friends and business associates. Those relationships can have an effect, both positive and negative, on the course of illness and may also be affected by the experience of living with a chronic illness like IBS. We review the general literature regarding the effect of relationship factors on chronic illness followed by a focus on IBS symptomatology. We then discuss the challenges experienced by partners of IBS patients, followed by the effects of spousal violence, the particular relationship of mothers with IBS and their children, the effects of social support, and the importance of family dynamics and IBS. The final segment includes conclusions and recommendations. The topic, relationships and IBS, may have a significant effect on the lives of IBS patients and deserves more attention than it has received.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/157340
spellingShingle Mary-Joan Gerson
Charles D. Gerson
The Importance of Relationships in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review
Gastroenterology Research and Practice
title The Importance of Relationships in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review
title_full The Importance of Relationships in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review
title_fullStr The Importance of Relationships in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review
title_full_unstemmed The Importance of Relationships in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review
title_short The Importance of Relationships in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review
title_sort importance of relationships in patients with irritable bowel syndrome a review
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/157340
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