Is IBD Caused By Mental Disorders?

Question: Is IBD Caused By Mental Disorders?

Years ago, it was thought that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and mental disorders were linked, and that most people who had IBD also had a personality or anxiety disorder or depression. Even people who had IBD might have thought this to be true.

Answer: This association may have gotten started with the idea of a "nervous stomach" or that people who had digestive problems were anxious or had a "type A" personality. However, it is important to note that IBD is not caused by a psychological condition. One study noted that the symptoms of depression and anxiety may even come about as a result of having symptoms of an undiagnosed digestive disease.

This is not to say that IBD is not associated with depression or anxiety. People with IBD should be evaluated for stress and depression, because these factors can lead to exacerbation of symptoms and a poorer quality of life.

_Sources:

_{Kurina LM, Goldacre MJ, Yeates D, Gill LE. "Depression and anxiety in people with inflammatory bowel disease." J Epidemiol Community Health Oct 2001;55:716-720. 12 Jan 2011.}

_{National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. "Facts and Fallacies About Digestive Diseases." National Institutes of Health Publication No. 04–2673 Oct 2003. 12 Jan 2011.}

_{Robertson DA, Ray J, Diamond I, Edwards JG. "Personality profile and affective state of patients with inflammatory bowel disease." Gut 1989;30:623-626. 12 Jan 2011.}