Conceptualization and treatment of bowel obsessions: two case reports

Bowel obsessions have long been recognized in clinical settings, usually presenting as an overwhelming fear of losing bowel control in public. Conceptual issues with regard to this disorder have hampered treatment efforts. For example, disagreement exists as to its proper classification within the spectrum of anxiety disorders: it has been conceptualized both as a variant of obsessive-compulsive disorder and as a symptom of social phobia, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. In addition, the comorbidity of bowel obsessions and functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome is not understood. While reports of pharmacological intervention exist, little has been written about psychological treatment techniques. This paper uses two cases studies of successful behavioral treatment of bowel obsessions as illustrations to address the above issues.