"The brain-gut axis is one of the most important clinical advances within the field of gastroenterology. This understanding involves more than just knowledge of the GI tract. Drs. Knowles, Keefer and Mikocka-Walus are the thought leaders who have developed the burgeoning field of Psychogastroenterology and their qualifications to communicate this growing body of knowledge is well demonstrated in this highly informative and innovative book. I highly recommend Psychogastroenterology as a resource to behavioural scientists, clinicians and physicians working in the field of GI disorders."- Professor Emeritus Douglas A. Drossman, MD, AGAF; President of the Rome Foundation; Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry; Center for Functional GI Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America "Brain-gut (or gut-brain) disorders are extremely common affecting up to one in three people globally. Frequently these chronic gut disorders are accompanied by anxiety or depression, and they are often highly morbid impacting quality of life, relationships, work and sleep. Mental health professionals play a very important role in management but in my experience many clinicians struggle to identify a local mental health professional to refer to, because relatively few have specifically trained in or have a special interest in the field despite the high disease burden. This outstanding handbook, edited by three leading experts in the field, is therefore very timely, and provides an excellent and practical users guide for not only mental health professionals but also others who deliver health care to patients with gut disorders including specialists and general practitioners." - Laureate Professor Nicholas J. Talley, AC, MBBS (Hons.) (NSW), MD (NSW), PhD (Syd), MMedSci (Clin Epi)(Newc.), FRACP, FAFPHM, FAHMS, FRCP (Lond. & Edin.), FACP, FACG, AGAF, FAMS, FRCPI (Hon), GAICD; Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Research, University of Newcastle, Australia; Editor-in-Chief, Medical Journal of Australia; Senior Staff Specialist, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia; Director, Priority Research Centre for Digestive Health and Neurogastroenterology, University of Newcastle, Australia; Professor of Medicine and Professor of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Adjunct Professor, University of North Carolina, NC, USA; Foreign Guest Professor, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden"Every human being, healthy or otherwise, knows from personal experience that there is a link between what is going in their head and the state of their gastrointestinal system. Consequently, it is extraordinary that the potential for this link to be a therapeutic target has been largely ignored until relatively recently. Furthermore, when a modality such as hypnotherapy is deployed against this link, it is often dismissed as quackery or some form of placebo effect. The care of patients with gastrointestinal disorders requires a team effort from clinicians, dieticians, physiologists and preferably psychologists. However, psychologists with a training in gastroenterology are in short supply but hopefully this should change with the advent of a speciality called psychogastroenterology. This book will provide those individuals wanting to go into this exciting area with a first-class grounding on the subject with the bonus of also giving them an insight into the structure of the gastrointestinal system as well as how it works. Consequently, this book is essential reading for anybody interested in the subject of psychogastroenterology." - Professor Peter J. Whorwell, BSc, MD, PhD, FRCP; Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Manchester; Director of the Neurogastroenterology Unit, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom "Dr’s Knowles, Keefer, and Mikocka-Walus have brought together a group of world experts in Psychogastroenterology who share their tricks of the trade. A necessary read for all interested in utlilising the brain-gut strategies to treat gastrointestinal conditions and associated psychological distress." - Professor Silvio Danese, MD, PhD; Head, IBD Center, Department of Gastroenterology Istituto Clinico Humanitas, and President of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation, Vienna, Austria"Many physicians find patients with gastrointestinal disorders to be challenging and yes, at times exasperating. However, some derive great satisfaction from working together with these patients to improve their lives. These physicians are also aware of the critical importance of psychogastroenterology, which is why this excellent compendium edited by Drs. Knowles, Keefer, and Mikocka-Walus is essential reading for mental health professionals, but also to all physicians who treat these patients, regardless of their specialization." - Professor Ami D. Sperber, MD, MSPH, AGAF; Professor Emeritus of Medicine; Member, Rome Foundation Board of Directors; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel"There is increasing evidence of the importance of the brain-gut axis in gastrointestinal disease and gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinicians caring for persons with gastrointestinal disorders have increasingly recognized the responsibility they have to inquire as to patients’ mental health status and the need to incorporate mental health disease management in their overall treatment plans. Knowles, Keefer and Mikocka-Walus have recognized the need for greater discussion and management advice for mental health professionals in the field of gastrointestinal diseases as they are increasingly called upon to participate in the care of these patients. Knowles, Keefer and Mikocka-Walus have assembled a superb handbook with an acclaimed international roster of authors that meticulously reviews the management of mental health disorders in gastrointestinal diseases." - Professor Charles N Bernstein, MD, FRCPC; Distinguished Professor of Medicine; Director, University of Manitoba IBD Clinical and Research Centre; Bingham Chair in Gastroenterology, Winnipeg, Canada"I highly recommend this ground-breaking and comprehensive practical guide to psychogastroenterology to any mental health professional treating adults with gastrointestinal health problems. It is an essential resource in this clinical domain, and one that is highly readable, amazingly broad in scope, and admirably grounded in current empirical knowledge. Filled with innumerable pearls of wisdom, illustrations, pragmatic tips, forms, reference tables, and handouts, this is not a book you will read once and then put aside, but rather one that you will want to keep within reach for guidance in your everyday clinical practice."- Professor Olafur S. Palsson, Psy.D.; Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America "This is a must-have go-to resource for health professionals providing psychological care for those with gastrointestinal illnesses. The medical background on GI conditions ranging from dyspepsia to IBD and colon cancer sets the stage for the evidence-based guidance on relevant psychological treatments. Practical and informative, the book is a superb entrance into the world of psychogastroenterology."- Professor Lesley Graff, PhD, CPsych; Professor & Head, Clinical Health Psychology Department, Max Rady College of Medicine University of Manitoba & Medical Director, Clinical Health Psychology Program Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
