Psychiatric and psychological assessment of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are frequently associated with depression or anxiety—recognition and treatment of these conditions may lead to improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms.

Consider depression, anxiety and mental health disorders following past emotional or sexual trauma.

Even if patients do not meet the diagnostic criteria for anxiety or depression, behavioural and psychological therapies (eg cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnotherapy) can be effective for functional gastrointestinal disorders.