Open AccessImportance of Addressing Anxiety in Youth With Functional Abdominal Pain
Author(s) -
Cunningham Natoshia R.,
LynchJordan Anne,
Mezoff Adam G.,
Farrell Michael K.,
Cohen Mitchell B.,
KashikarZuck Susmita
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1536-4801
pISSN - 0277-2116
DOI - 10.1097/mpg.0b013e31828b3681
Subject(s) - biopsychosocial model , anxiety , medicine , abdominal pain , clinical psychology , context (archaeology) , functional impairment , coping (psychology) , multidisciplinary approach , cognitive behavioral therapy , cognition , psychiatry , paleontology , social science , sociology , biology
Functional abdominal pain (FAP) is a common pediatric disorder associated with impairment in functioning that may persist for the long term. Anxiety is common in youth with FAP, and may be an important factor in predicting youth who are at greatest risk for increased impairment because of pain symptoms. In this article, we examine the relation between anxiety and impairment in youth with FAP. Furthermore, we explore various biopsychosocial factors (eg, neurobiological substrates, coping strategies, social factors) that may be implicated in the relation among FAP, anxiety, and increased impairment. Finally, we propose physician guidelines for screening and treatment of youth with FAP and co‐occurring anxiety. Youth with FAP and co‐occurring anxiety may benefit from cognitive‐behavioral therapy in the context of multidisciplinary care.