Management Of Ibs With Concomitant Major Depressive Disorder

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that is commonly associated with psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder. When considering pharmacologic treatment options for the treatment of IBS, multiple factors should be considered, including the predominance of constipation or diarrhea, the presence of abdominal pain, and changes related to bowel function. Since various mental-health disorders have been associated with IBS, it is common practice for individuals to be placed on antidepressants in order to help manage these mental-health related concerns. Unfortunately, there is a lack of clinical guidance on the recommendations for specific antidepressant treatment options that should be tailored to patients with IBS. There is, however, some data that suggest a more symptom-targeted therapeutic approach that may prove to be beneficial for both disorders.