Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Psychological Assessment of Patients with Proctological Disorders

  • Chapter
Complex Anorectal Disorders

Conclusions

A multidisciplinary team, which includes either a psychologist or a psychiatrist, should follow these specialized patients from their first visit to the final steps of their treatment and the definitive resolution of their problem using a “holistic approach.” The great advantage of a team psychologist—and a psychological perspective—in a dedicated coloproctology unit is in “flagging” patients who are likely, by virtue of their preexisting psychological and biosocial problems, not to benefit from surgery or to have symptom recidivism after surgery. Moreover, it is crucial that patients be afforded a range of non-surgical therapies for pelvic floor dysfunction as part of this holistic approach. The factors that are predictive for non-surgical success are still being evaluated in many units.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Garvey M, Noyes R, and Yates W. Frequency of constipation in major depression: relationship to other clinical variables. Psychosomatics. 1990;31:204–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Nehra V, Bruce BK, Rath-Harvey DM, Pemberton JH, and Camilleri M. Psychological disorders in patients with evacuation disorders and constipation in a tertiary practice. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:1755–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Devroede G. Psychophysiological considerations in subjects with chronic idiopathic constipation. In: Wexner SD and Bartolo DCC, editors. Constipation: etiology, evaluation and management. London: Butterworth Heinemann; 1995. p. 103–34.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ayabaca SM, Zbar AP, and Pecatori M. Anal continence after rectocele repair. Dis Colon Rectum. 2002;45:63–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Berkelmans I, Leroi AM, Weber J, and Denis P. Fecal incontinence with transitory absence of anal contraction in two sexually or physically abused women. Eur J Gastroenterol. 1996;8:235–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Mavrantonis C and Wexner SD. A clinical approach to fecal incontinence. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1988;27:108–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Byrne CM, Pager CK, Rex J, Roberts R, and Solomon MJ. Assessment of quality of life in the treatment of patients with neuropathic fecal incontinence. Dis Colon Rectum. 2002;45:1431–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Whitehead WE, Wald A, Diamant NE, Enck P, Pemberton JH, and Rao SSC. Functional disorders of the anus and rectum. Gut. 1999;Suppl II:1155–9.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Magni G, Salmi A, De Leo D, and Ceola A. Chronic pelvic pain and depression. Psychopathology. 1984;17:132–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Renzi C and Pescatori M. Psychological aspects in proctalgia. Dis Colon Rectum. 2000;43:535–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Wesselman U, Burnett AL, and Heinberg LJ. The urogenital and rectal pain syndrome. Pain. 1997;73:269–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Merluzzi TV, Nairn RC, Hegde K, Martinez Sanchez MA, and Dunn L. Selfefficacy for coping with cancer: revision of the cancer behaviour inventory (version 2.0). Psycho-oncology. 2001;10:206–17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ciaramella A and Poli P. Assessment of depression among cancer patients: the role of pain, cancer and treatment. Psycho-oncology. 2001;10:156–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Parker PA, Baile WF, De Moor C, and Cohen L. Psychosocial and demographic predictors of quality of life in a large sample of cancer patients. Psychooncology. 2003;12:183–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Rourke MT, Stuber ML, Hobbie WL, and Kazak AE. Posttraumatic stress disorder: understanding the psychosocial impact of surviving childhood cancer into young adulthood. J Pediatric Nurs. 1999;16:115–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kazak AE, Simms S, and Rourke MT. Family system practice in pediatric psychology. J Pediatric Psychol. 2002;27(2):133–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kazak AE, Barakat L, Meeske K, et al. Posttraumatic stress, family functioning and social support in survivors of childhood cancer and their mothers and fathers. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1997;65:120–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kazak AE. Effective psychosocial intervention for children with cancer [editorial]. Med Pediatr Oncol. 1999;32:292–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Vaughn CE, Leff J, and Sarner M. Relatives’ expressed emotion and the course of inflammatory bowel disease. J Psychosom Res. 1999;47:461–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. McMahon AW, Schmitt P, Patterson JF, and Rothman E. Personality differences between inflammatory bowel disease patients and their healthy siblings. Psychosom Med. 1973;35:35–91.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Brown GW, Birley JLT, and Wing JK. Influence of family life on the course of schizophrenic disorders: a replication. Br J Psychiatry. 1976;121:241–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Vaughn CE and Leff J. The influence of family and social factors on the course of psychiatric illness: a comparison of schizophrenic and depressed neurotic patients. Br J Psychiatry. 1976;129:125–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Sewitch MJ, Abrahamowicz M, Bitton A, Daly D, Wild GE, Cohen A, Katz S, Szego PL, and Dobkin PL. Psychological support and disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96:1470–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Koloski NA, Talley NJ, and Boyce PM. Predictors of health care seeking for irritable bowel syndrome and nonulcer dyspepsia: a critical review of the literature on symptom and psychological factors. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96:1340–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Sullivan ES, Jenkins PL, and Blewett AE. Irritable bowel syndrome and family history of psychiatry disorder: a preliminary study. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1995;17:43–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Kaplan DS, Masand PS, and Gupta S. The relationship of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and panic disorder. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 1996;8:81–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Delvaux M, Denis P, and Allemand H. Sexual abuse is more frequently reported by IBS patients than by patients with organic digestive diseases or controls. Results of a multicentre inquiry. Eur J Gastroenterol. 1997;9:345–52.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sandler DS, Drossman DA, Nathan HP, and McKee DC. Symptom complaints and health care seeking behaviour in subjects with bowel dysfunction. Gastroenterology. 1984;87:314–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Drossman DA. Do psychological factors define symptom severity and patient status in Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Am J Med. 1999;107:41–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Lydiard RB and Falsetti SA. Experience with anxiety and depression treatment studies: implications for designing irritable bowel syndrome clinical trials. Am J Med. 1999;107:65–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Whitehead WE. Behavioral medicine approaches to gastrointestinal disorders. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1992;60:605–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Strickland MC and Heymen S. Psychiatric treatment of constipation. In: Wexner SD and Bartolo DCC, editors. Constipation: etiology, evaluation & management. London: Butterworth Heinemann; 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Devroede G. Psychological considerations in subjects with chronic idiopathic constipation. In: Wexner SD and Bartolo DCC, editors. Constipation: etiology, evaluation & management. London: Butterworth Heinemann; 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Rimsza ME, Berg RA, and Locke C. Sexual abuse: somatic and emotional reactions Child Ab Negl. 1988;12:201–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Leroi AM, Bernier C, Watier A, et al. Prevalence of sexual abuse among patients with functional disorders of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Int J Colorectal Dis. 1995;10:200–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kristal H. Alexithymia and psychotherapy. Am J Psychother. 1979;33:17–31.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Kumar D, Thompson PD, Wingate DL, Vesselinova-Jenkins CK, and Libby G. Abnormal REM sleep in the irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 1992;103:12–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Devroede G, Bouchoucha M, and Girard G. Constipation, anxiety and personality. What carries first? In: Bueno L, Collins S, and Junior JL, editors. Stress and digestive motility. London: JohnLibbey; 1989. p. 55–60.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Devroede G, Roy T, Bouchoucha M, et al. Idiopathic constipation by colonic dysfunction: relationship with personality and anxiety. Dig Dis Sci. 1989;34:1428–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Drossman DA, McKee DC, Sandler RS, et al. Psychological factors in the irritable bowel syndrome. A multivariate study of patients and non patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology 1988;95:701–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Devroede G. Constipation and sexuality. Med Asp Human Sex. 1990 Feb:40–6.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Ripetti V, Caputo D, Ausania F, Esposito E, Bruni R, and Arullani A. Sacral nerve neuromodulation improves physical, psychological and social quality of life in patients with fecal incontinence. Tech Coloproctol. 2002;6:147–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Pescatori M. Anal rectoceles and the Iceberg Syndrome. Urodynamica. Forthcoming 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Parks AG, Porter NH, and Hardcastle J. The syndrome of the descending perineum. Proc R Soc Med. 1966;59:477–82.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Renzi C, Peticca L, and Pescatori M. The use of relaxation techniques in the perioperative management of proctological patients: preliminary results. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2000;15:313–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Loening-Baucke V, Cruikshank B, and Savage C. Defecation dynamics and behavior profiles in encopretic children. Pediatrics. 1987;80:672–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Machover K. Personality projection in the drawing of the human figure: a method of personality investigation. Springfield: Charles Thomas; 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Castellazzi VL and Nannini MF. Il disegno della figura umana come tecnica proiettiva. Rome: Libreria Ateneo Salesiano; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Renzi C and Pescatori M. Family drawing with clinical approach to patients with chronic constipation: preliminary data. Neurogastroenterology. 2002;56–8.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Tusek DL, Church JM, Strong SA, Grass JA, and Fazio VW. Guided imagery: a significant advance in the care of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Dis Colon Rectum. 1997;40:172–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Mathias JM. Guided imagery tapes help surgical patients. OR Manager. 1998;14:18–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Perozo SE, Ferrara A, Patankar SK, Larach SW, and Williamson PR. Biofeedback with home trainer programme is effective for both incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. Tech Coloproctol. 1997;5:6–9.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Peticca L, Pietroletti R, Ayabaca SM, and Pescatori M. Combined biofeedback physiotherapy and electrostimulation for fecal incontinence. Tech Coloproctol. 2000;4:157–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Pucciani F, Iozzi L, Masi A, Cianchi F, and Cortesini C. Multimodal rehabilitation for faecal incontinence: experience of an Italian center devoted to faecal disorder rehabilitation. Tech Coloproctol. 2003;7:139–47.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coloproctology Unit, Villa Flaminia Hospital, Rome, Italy

    Annalisa Russo PhD & Mario Pescatori MD, FRCS, EBSQ

Authors
  1. Annalisa Russo PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mario Pescatori MD, FRCS, EBSQ
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Springer-Verlag London Limited

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Russo, A., Pescatori, M. (2005). Psychological Assessment of Patients with Proctological Disorders. In: Complex Anorectal Disorders. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-057-5_40

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-057-5_40

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-690-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-057-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation