Psychosomatic approaches to digestive diseases in children.

Psychosomatic diseases refer to those medical affections whose appearance and/or evolution is signifi cantly infl uenced by psychological factors. The main digestive disorders in which the psychosomatic factor is prevalent are: gastroduodenal affections, corrosive esophagitis, constipation, encopresis, emotional diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative rectocolitis and Crohn's disease. The management is based on collaboration between the psychologist and the pediatric gastroenterologist. Supportive psychotherapy is necessary for completing medication. Child should receive emotional support and be helped to understand their feelings about the situation of the disease. The doctor must create a relationship based on trust, develop an attitude that shows empathy, honesty and openness towards children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]