Hum Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Behavioral therapy delivered over the Web might help soothe symptoms in some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a new study suggests. The online approach is not yet available outside of studies. But researchers say that the current findings are a step in the right direction toward making cognitive behavioral therapy more accessible to people with IBS. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychological counseling that tries to address the unhealthy thinking patterns and behaviors that contribute to various health problems. It's one option for treating IBS. People with IBS have repeated bouts of abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. The exact cause is unknown, but anxiety and less-than-ideal coping strategies -- like avoiding going out because of your symptoms - are thought to make IBS worse for many people. Studies have suggested that cognitive behavioral therapy can ease IBS symptoms in at least some people. But an obstacle to people actually trying the therapy is that it's not widely available. Many people live nowhere near a therapist; or if they do, the time commitment of meeting with a therapist, or the price tag, may be too much. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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