Abstract
M.A.
The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether patients
suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) differed from non-
IBS clients in terms of their defense mechanisms.
Although irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common
gastrointestinal disorders encountered by primary care physicians
and gastroenterologists, it is one of the least well understood.
Part of the reason for this is the lack of real consensus of
opinion regarding the nature of the complaint (Read, 1985).
Today it is widely agreed that irritable bowel syndrome is a
psychosomatic disorder, that is, a disorder of physiological
functioning and anatomical structure, which are determined for
most part by psychological factors (Lachman, 1972; Moser, 1986).
Evidence linking psychological variables to gastrointestinal
disorders is surprisingly sparse, and all too often confusing and
contradicting. Such conflicting results probably reflect the
many methodological weaknesses common to all areas of study
(Bennett, .1989). Although evaluation of the impact of
psychological interventions on both symptomatic and psychological
relief has been pursued, its findings provide tangential support
for the importance of psychological disorders. Nevertheless,
these studies have shown a consistency of positive results not
found in the etiological research (Read, 1985).
Using a variety of techniques, most with the therapeutic goal of
stress reduction, psychological therapy has been shown to produce.
symptomatic relief, increase periods of remission, and to reduce
the impact of stress resulting from severe symptomatic flare ups
in IBS (Bennett, 1989).
In .addition, most IBS patients may not identify their gut
symptoms in psychological terms. Therefore, they inappropriately
and repeatedly subject themselves to unnecessary, expensive and
harmful medical procedures in search of an organic cause.
Further research into the psychological factors of IBS, including
the defense mechanisms underlying it may lead to a reduction in
type of anxiety (Folkman, Lazarus, Gruen & DeLongis, 1986).
The ways in which people cope with intense emotions may have a
significant effect on their psychological and physical health.
StresS factors and the suppression of emotions, for example
through defense mechanisms, are thought to be especially relevant
in the etiology and exacerbation of psychosomatic illness (Ogden
& Von Sturmer, 1984). The role that defense mechanisms play in
the development of IBS forms the cornerstone of the present
research.