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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children with Functional Abdominal Pain

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Pediatric Neurogastroenterology

Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

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Abstract

Over the past decades it has increasingly become evident that functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are explained by dysregulation of the brain–gut axis. GFID symptoms are not only caused and maintained by gut processes but may also be modified by extraintestinal components such as those related to cognition, emotions, and behavior. Currently, therapies for FGIDs can be divided into two main categories: those directed to treat the predominant symptom (or-end organ therapy) and treatment aimed at psychosocial aspects of the disorder with a focus on providing patients with adequate tools for modifying disease perception and responses to pain. It appears that the most successful approach will utilize both strategies to reach a successful outcome in FGID.

Of the various psychosocial treatments available, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has recently gained more popularity as a modality in the treatment for FGIDs. This is not surprising, as CBT has a large evidence base in many conditions that have a psychosomatic component. These include traditional behaviorally based conditions disorders, and also established organic disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease which conversely have been found to have a significant psychosocial component. When considering evidence-based treatment, where specific treatments for symptom-based diagnoses are utilized, CBT has been recommended over other psychosocial approaches.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Digestive Health Care Center, 511 Courtyard Drive, Hillsborough, NJ, 08844, USA

    Nader N. Youssef M.D., F.A.A.P., F.A.C.G.

  2. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Miranda A. L. van Tilburg Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Nader N. Youssef M.D., F.A.A.P., F.A.C.G.
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  2. Miranda A. L. van Tilburg Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nader N. Youssef M.D., F.A.A.P., F.A.C.G. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sainte-Justine Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, H3T 1C5, Québec, Canada

    Christophe Faure

  2. Nationwide Children's Hospital, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, 43205, Ohio, USA

    Carlo Di Lorenzo

  3. Gastroenterology and Neural Development, University College London, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom

    Nikhil Thapar

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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Youssef, N.N., van Tilburg, M.A.L. (2013). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children with Functional Abdominal Pain. In: Faure, C., Di Lorenzo, C., Thapar, N. (eds) Pediatric Neurogastroenterology. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-709-9_43

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-709-9_43

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-708-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-709-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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