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Understanding Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs)

Key Points:

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  • DGBIs affect up to 40% of people worldwide, making them incredibly common.

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  • Cognitive behavioural therapy works in an extra 1 in 3 people compared to no treatment.

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  • Gut-directed hypnotherapy shows 70% improvement rates in severe IBS cases, with 81% of responders maintaining symptom improvements for up to five years.

Have you ever felt butterflies before a big presentation, or noticed your stomach churning during stressful times? This gut-brain connection isn't just a figure of speech – it's a real, powerful communication network that can sometimes go wrong.

 

If you're experiencing unexplained digestive symptoms, you might be dealing with a disorder of the gut-brain interaction (DGBI). The encouraging news is that modern psychology offers proven treatments that can help restore healthy communication between your gut and brain.

DGBI is the modern medical term for conditions previously called "functional gut disorders." This 2016 name change recognised these as legitimate medical conditions deserving proper treatment.

 

Your gut-brain axis is like a two-way highway: your brain influences your digestive system, while your gut sends signals back through the vagus nerve and chemical messengers. When this communication becomes disrupted, you experience DGBI symptoms.

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Common DGBI Conditions:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – affecting 4-10% of adults globally (1)

  • Functional dyspepsia – persistent indigestion without clear cause

  • Functional constipation

  • Functional reflux

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What Goes Wrong?

Visceral Hypersensitivity

Your gut becomes oversensitive to normal sensations (like having the volume turned up too high).

Motility Issues

Normally coordinated muscle movements become irregular.

Communication Breakdown

Normal gut sensations get misinterpreted as pain.

What Are Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction?

Recognising the Impact

DGBI affects far more than just digestion, significantly impacting quality of life for many people across Australia.

 

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Symptoms Include:

  • Abdominal pain and cramping

  • Bloating and gas

  • Constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating patterns

  • Nausea and incomplete bowel emptying

 

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Life Impact:

  • Work challenges: Difficulty with jobs requiring limited bathroom access

  • Social limitations: Avoiding restaurants, travel, or gatherings

  • Sleep disruption: Symptoms interfering with rest

  • Mental health concerns: Anxiety and depression are common

How Psychology Transforms Gut Health

Psychology directly targets disrupted gut-brain communication by:

  • Retraining how your brain interprets gut sensations

  • Regulating digestive muscle contractions

  • Breaking stress-symptom cycles

  • Building practical management skills


 

Evidence-Based Treatments

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Has a number needed to treat of 3 for IBS, meaning that for every three people treated, an additional one person will see improvement where they wouldn’t without treatment (2).

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Read More

Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy: Shows remarkable 70-80% improvement rates.

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Read More

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

CBT for digestive health psychology provides concrete skills:

 

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What You'll Learn:

  • Understanding your condition: How gut-brain interactions create symptoms

  • Stress management: Breathing techniques, relaxation, mindfulness

  • Thought awareness: Changing unhelpful thinking patterns

  • Behavioural strategies: Gradual re-engagement with activities

 


Many patients respond in just four sessions (3), making CBT both effective and time-efficient.

Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy

Gut hypnotherapy isn't stage hypnosis – it's a medical treatment designed to improve gut brain connection.

 

Professor Peter Whorwell pioneered this approach in the 1980s (4).

 

Research Results for IBS

  • 70% improvement in severe cases (5)

  • Similar effectiveness to low FODMAP diet with better psychological outcomes (5)

  • 81% of responders maintained improvements for 5 years (6)

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How It Works

  • Accesses your subconscious during deep relaxation

  • Uses therapeutic imagery (visualising smooth gut function)

  • Retrains gut-brain communication pathways

  • Naturally reduces stress and activates healing

  • Treatment Process

  • Initial consultation

  • 4-6 weekly sessions (45-60 minutes each)

  • Daily home practice with recordings

Common Concerns

"Will I lose control?" No – you remain aware throughout.

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"What if I'm not hypnotisable?" Effectiveness doesn't depend on susceptibility.

Your Path Forward

The most effective treatment combines multiple strategies involving:​

  • Psychologists: For CBT and other psychologic supports

  • Gut hypnotherapists: for gut-directed hypnotherapy

  • Dietitians: For nutritional guidance

  • GPs or gastroenterologists: For medical management

 

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Additional Supports

  • Regular gentle exercise

  • Quality sleep

  • Stress management activities

  • Social support networks

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Consider Professional Support If:

  • Symptoms impact work, relationships, or daily activities

  • You're avoiding situations due to digestive concerns

  • Sleep is regularly disrupted

  • Mental health is affected

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DGBI can be effectively managed. Many people achieve significant improvement and return to full, active lives.

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Remember:

  • DGBI are legitimate medical conditions

  • Evidence-based psychological treatments offer real hope

  • You're not alone – millions share this experience

  • Recovery is achievable with appropriate support


 

Understanding gut brain axis disorders is your first step toward better health. Psychology offers proven treatments that address the root cause: disrupted gut-brain communication.

 

Evidence-based approaches like gut directed hypnotherapy and CBT provide genuine relief by retraining your gut-brain connection, going beyond symptom management to restore healthy function.

Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?

The Gut-Brain Clinic in Brisbane specialises in integrated treatment of gut brain axis disorders. Our experienced team combines psychology services, gut directed hypnotherapy, and expert dietetic support to address the full spectrum of gut health issues.

 

We provide personalised treatment plans that may include:

  • Gut directed hypnotherapy with qualified practitioners

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy tailored for digestive health

  • Specialist dietetic guidance for gut health optimisation

  • Integrated care addressing both physical and psychological aspects

 

Contact The Gut-Brain Clinic to discover how our comprehensive approach can help you reclaim control over your symptoms and get back to living the life you want.

 

Better days are ahead – and they begin with understanding that your gut and mind can work together, not against each other.

References

  1. Lovell RM, Ford AC. Global prevalence of and risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012;10(7):712-721.e4.

  2. Drossman DA, Toner BB, Whitehead WE, et al. Cognitive-behavioral therapy versus education and desipramine versus placebo for moderate to severe functional bowel disorders. Gastroenterology. 2003;125(1):19-31.

  3. Kinsinger SW. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome: current insights. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2017;10:231-237.

  4. Whorwell PJ, Prior A, Faragher EB. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe refractory irritable-bowel syndrome. Lancet. 1984;2(8414):1232-1234.

  5. Peters SL, Yao CK, Philpott H, Yelland GW, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut‐directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2016;44(5):447-459.

  6. Gonsalkorale WM, Miller V, Afzal A, Whorwell PJ. Long term benefits of hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Gut. 2003;52(11):1623-1629.

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