Nov 6, 2020
This episode covers psychological therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Benjamin Wakefield speaks to Graeme Smith, Professor of Nursing at the Caritas Institute of Higher Education in Hong Kong, about the symptoms of IBS, its causes and its links to the gut–brain axis, as well as how it can be diagnosed and treated. The focus is on mind-based management, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH), mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), touching on evidence of efficacy, cost implications and the specialist nursing role in holistic care for IBS patients.