Research Update | A New Standard in GI Care
How Psychogastroenterology Can Help You Heal
If you're struggling with a chronic digestive disorder like IBS, GERD, or IBD, you know that the symptoms can be overwhelming—not just physically but emotionally. A groundbreaking update published by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), titled "Best Practice Update: Incorporating Psychogastroenterology Into Management of Digestive Disorders," sets a new standard in treatment. It emphasizes the critical role of psychogastroenterology—a field that integrates psychological therapies into digestive health care.
Why This Matters to You
This article was written for medical providers, but it's essential reading for anyone invested in their own health. It highlights how the most advanced medical centers are rethinking GI treatment, shifting from a symptom-management approach to a brain-gut model that acknowledges the deep connection between the mind and digestive system.
The most current understanding of most digestive disorders incorporates that your digestive health is not just about what you eat—it's also about how you think, feel, and cope. Science now supports a whole-person approach to digestive wellness and this standard of care what is being offered at the most advanced medical centers in the world.
Key Takeaways
Your Gut and Brain Are One System
As it states in the article “chronic digestive diseases (including irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease & inflammatory bowel diseases) cannot be disentangled from their psychological context—the substantial burden of these diseases is co-determined by symptom and disease severity and the ability of patients to cope with their symptoms without significant interruption to daily life”.
To break that down a bit, that’s emphasizing that if you or your doctor are only focusing on your physical symptoms some key factors are being overlooked because the severity & progression of your disorder is determined by a combination of both the physical symptoms and your ability to cope with them.
Chronic GI conditions are not just about food or inflammation—stress, anxiety, and past trauma can all impact your gut function. The gut and brain communicate constantly, and when this system is disrupted, symptoms can worsen.Psychological Therapies Are Proven to Help
The article reviews two leading treatments:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps rewire how the brain processes gut signals, reducing symptom-related anxiety and pain.
Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy works in part by calming the gut’s overactive nervous system, significantly improving symptoms in many patients.
This Isn't "Just in Your Head"—It's Science
These therapies are not about dismissing physical symptoms—they are evidence-based treatments that target the nervous system dysfunction underlying many GI disorders.Doctors Need to Start Talking About This
The article urges gastroenterologists to assess mental health factors, educate patients about the brain-gut connection, and establish direct referrals to GI-trained psychologists.
What This Means for You
If you're feeling stuck or that you’ve maxed out your options, know that effective, research-backed psychological therapies exist—and they could be a game-changer. You can take an active role in your care by learning more about the core concepts of GI psychology and brain-gut behavioral therapies.
Links to the full article:
Best Practice Update: Incorporating Psychogastroenterology Into Management of Digestive Disorders [sci-hub]