Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a case treatment
Martina Valdemarca, Sonya Sabbatino
This article describes the case conceptualization and treatment of a patient with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The case study is described according to Hauser, Pletikosic e Tkalcic’s bio-psycho-social model (2014) and Hunt e Beck’s cognitive model (2016). The treatment protocol involved a combination of CBT techniques such as: psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, exposure techniques (interoceptive, in vivo and in imagination), systematic desensitization, relaxation strategies and assertiveness training. The patient achieved positive response to treatment characterized by remission of symptoms, marked improvements in personal and professional life, development of appropriate relapse management skills (since setbacks are frequently observed in patient while encountering stressful life events). Gains were maintained at the 2 and 4-month follow up examinations. Furthermore, the role of peculiar aspects of the treatment such as therapeutic alliance and patient’s motivation are pointed out.
Keywords
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Exposure therapy, Cognitive restructuring, Cognitive-behavioural therapy.