ABSTRACT
This article describes an evolving collaborative relationship between a family therapist and a physician focused on the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, a highly prevalent disorder which has several psychological characteristics. We began with a unique approach utilizing (1) simultaneous treatment by both specialists; (2) a focus on the relationship context of illness. This approach draws on family systemic theory and practice as well as a circular model of mind and body interaction. Because the intervention was significantly helpful to patients, the premises which informed it were then incorporated into a five session group treatment model. Results and clinical report support the efficacy of a collaborative systemic approach between a medical specialist and family psychologist in treating adult chronic illness.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Q. Aziz D. G. Thompson (1998) ArticleTitleBrain-gut axis in health and disease Gastroenterology 114 IssueID3 559–578 Occurrence Handle9496948
E. J. Bennett C. C. Tennant C. Piesse C. A. Badcock J. E. Kellow (1998) ArticleTitleLevel of chronic life stress predicts clinical outcome in irritable bowel syndrome Gut 43 IssueID2 256–261 Occurrence Handle10189854 Occurrence Handle10.1136/gut.43.2.256
A. Bensoussan N. J. Talley M. Hing R. Menzies A. Guo M. Ngu (1998) ArticleTitleTreatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine: A randomized controlled trial Journal of the American Medical Association 280 585–1589
E. B. Blanchard (2001) Irritable bowel syndrome: Psychosocial assessment and treatment American Psychological Association Washington DC
C. P. Dancey M. Taghavi R. J. Fox (1998) ArticleTitleThe relationship between daily stress and symptoms of irritable bowel: A time-series approach Journal of Psychosomatic Research 44 IssueID5 537–545 Occurrence Handle9623874
D. A. Drossman (1984) ArticleTitleEditorial An irritable mind or an irritable bowel Lancet, ii 1249–1250
D. A. Drossman (1996) ArticleTitleGastrointestinal illness and the biopsychosocial model International Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 22 IssueID4 252–254
D. A. Drossman N. J. Talley J. Leserman K. W. Olden M. A. Barreiro (1995) ArticleTitleSexual and physical abuse and gastrointestinal illness. Review and recommendations Annals of Internal Medicine 123 IssueID10 782–794 Occurrence Handle7574197
D. A. Drossman W. G. Thompson (1992) ArticleTitleThe irritable bowel syndrome: Review and graduated multicomponent treatment approach Annals of Internal Medicine 116 IssueID12 Pt 1 1009–1016 Occurrence Handle1586090
C. Y. Francis J. Morris P. J. Whorwell (1997) ArticleTitleThe irritable bowel severity scoring system: A simple method of monitoring irritable bowel syndrome and its progress Aliment Pharmacology Therapy 11 395–402
M. J. Gerson (2002) ArticleTitlePsychosomatics and psychoanalytic theory: The psychology of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease Psychoanalytic Psychology 19 IssueID2 380–388
C. D. Gerson M. J. Gerson (2003) ArticleTitleCollaborative health care model for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 1 446–452 Occurrence Handle15017644
C. Gerson M. J. Gerson R. Awad A. Chowdhury C. P. Dancey P. Poitras P. Porcelli A. Sperber W. A. Wang (2004) ArticleTitleA global survey of irritable bowel syndrome: A mind-body perspective Gastroenterology 126 IssueIDSuppl 2 88–89
W. M. Gonsalkorale A. Miller A. Afzal P. J. Whorwell (2003) ArticleTitleLong term benefits of hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome Gut 52 1623–1629 Occurrence Handle14570733
I. Heymann-Monnikes R. Arnold I. Florin C. Herda S. Melfsen H. Monnikes (2000) ArticleTitleThe combination of medical treatment plus multicomponent behavioral therapy is superior to medical treatment alone in the therapy of irritable bowel syndrome American Journal of Gastroenterology 95 IssueID4 981–994 Occurrence Handle10763948
E. Imber-Black J. Proberts R. A. Whiting (2003) Rituals in families and family therapy W.W. Norton & Co New York
J. K. Kiecolt-Glaser T. L. Newton (2001) ArticleTitleMarriage and health: His and hers Psychological Bulletin 127 IssueID4 427–503
S. H. McDaniel J. Hepworth W. J. Doherty (1992) Medical family therapy: A biopsychosocial approach to families with health problems Basic Books New York
S. Minuchin B. L. Rosman L. Baker (1978) Psychosomatic families: Anorexia nervosa in context. Harvard University Press Cambridge, Mass
J. H. Nymberg J. W. Selby (2000) ArticleTitleCurbside consultation American Family Physician 61 226–231 Occurrence Handle10643960
P. Penn (2001) ArticleTitleChronic illness: Trauma, language, and writing: Breaking the silence Family Process 40 IssueID1 33–52 Occurrence Handle11288368
M. R. Poitras P. Verrier C. So S. Paquet M. Bouin P. Poitras (2002) ArticleTitleGroup counseling psychotherapy for patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders: Development of new measures for symptom severity and quality of life Digestive Disease and Science 47 IssueID6 1297–1307
O. Ray (2004) ArticleTitleHow the mind hurts and heals the body American Psychologist 59 IssueID1 29–40 Occurrence Handle14736318
G. Reichler (1998) Active wellness: Feel good for life Time Life Books New York
M. J. Rohrbaugh V. Shoham J. C. Coyne J. A. Cranford J. S. Sonnega J. M. Nicklas (2004) ArticleTitleBeyond the “self” in self-effiacy: Spouse confidence predicts patient survival following heart failure Journal of Family Psychology 18 IssueID1 184–193 Occurrence Handle14992620
J. S. Rolland (1994) Families, illness and disability: An integrative treatment model Basic Books New York
R. S. Sandler J. E. Everhart M. Donowitz E. Adams K. Cronin C. Goodman E. Gemmen S. Shah A. Advic R. Rubin (2002) ArticleTitleThe burden of selected digestive diseases in the United States Gastroenterology 122 IssueID5 1500–1511 Occurrence Handle11984534
W. G. Thompson F. Creed D. A. Drossman K. W. Heaton G. Mazzacca (1994) ArticleTitleFunctional bowel disorders and chronic functional abdominal pain Gastroenterology International 2 75–91
B. B. Toner Z. V. Segal S. D. Emmott D. Myran (2000) Cognitive-behavioral treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: The brain-gut connection Guilford Press New York
S. L. Waller J. J. Misiewicz (1969) ArticleTitlePrognosis in the irritable-bowel syndrome A prospective study. Lancet 2 IssueID7624 754–756
K. Weihs L. Fisher M. Baird (2002) ArticleTitleFamilies, health and behavior: A section of the commissioned report by the Committee on health and behavior: Research, practice and policy, Division of neuroscience and behavioral health and Division of health promotion and disease prevention, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences Families Systems and Health 20 IssueID1 7–39 Occurrence Handle10.1037/h0089481
D. Westen G. O. Gabbard (2002a) ArticleTitleDevelopments in cognitive neuroscience: I: Conflict, compromise, and connectionism Journal of American Psychoanalytical Association 50 IssueID1 53–98 Occurrence Handle10.1177/00030651020500011501
D. Westen G. O. Gabbard (2002b) ArticleTitleDevelopments in cognitive neuroscience: II: Implications for theories of transference Journal of American Psychoanalytical Association 50 IssueID1 99–134
M. White D. Epston (1990) Narrative means to therapeutic ends Norton New York
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gerson, MJ., Gerson, C.D. A collaborative family-systemic approach to treating chronic illness: irritable bowel syndrome as exemplar. Contemp Fam Ther 27, 37–49 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-004-1969-y
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-004-1969-y