Psychosomatic psychiatry of the child and adolescent with chronic digestive diseases

Abstract

Chronic childhood diseases negatively influence on the child’s psychological development. Children and adolescents with chronic digestive diseases have predominantly anxious and depressive symptoms. Environmental factors such as management of gastrointestinal symptoms, the influence of the response of peers or family itself can determine the handling of the disease. These aspects are very important in diseases like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, recurrent abdominal pain and psychogenic vomiting. Psychological factors affecting medical conditions and / or the presence of comorbid mental illness diminish the quality of life of these patients also the family system is affecting. Psychosomatic medicine addresses these aspects of these diseases helping patients and their families. A comprehensive approach to improving gastrointestinal and psychiatric symptoms increases the perceived health of children and adolescents with chronic digestive diseases.