health psychology

Question 1

Define the term psychosomatic disorder

Answer 1

psychosomatic disorders are disorders where emotional or psychological factors can impact on the symptoms

Question 2

give some examples of psychosomatic disorders

Answer 2

asthma
atopic dermatitis
tension headaches
chronic fatigue
IBS

Question 3

what are the symptoms of IBS

Answer 3

abdo pain and cramps which may be relieved by defecation
•a change in bowel habits – such as diarrhoea, constipation, or sometimes both
•bloating and swelling of your stomach
•excessive wind (flatulence)
•occasionally experiencing an urgent need to go to the toilet
•a feeling that you have not fully emptied your bowels after going to the toilet
•passing mucus from your bottom

Question 4

how is IBS diagnosed

Answer 4

•Improvement with defecation
•Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool
•Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool
–+ 2 of the following:
•A change in how you pass stools (urgency, not emptied bowels)
•Bloating, hardness or tension in abdomen
•Symptoms worse after eating
•Passing mucus from rectum

can be a diagnosis of exclusion

Question 5

what may lead to IBS

Answer 5

emotional stress
psychological disorders
hyper reactivity in brain gut interface
infection 
food intolerance
abnormal muscle contraction 
serotonin receptors 
abnormal gut physiology

Question 6

how can IBS be managed

Answer 6

diet and lifestyle changes
drug treatments approach
psychological approach
complementary therapies

Question 7

how can IBS be managed with diet changes

Answer 7

food diary
healthy diet
find food intolerances
asses activity levels

Question 8

what are the drug treatments for IBS

Answer 8

antidiarrhoeal 
laxatives
antispasmodics
SSRIs
TCAs

Question 9

what types of psychological therapy can be offered

Answer 9

CBT
hypno
psychotherapy

Question 10

what types of complementary therapies can be used

Answer 10

nutraceuticals
Chinese herbal medicine
probiotics