Talking your way out of chronic conditions

Talking therapies, by which people learn to change their attitudes towards illness, can help to relieve chronic conditions such as diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), scientists said yesterday.

Research suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy, a technique by which patients discuss their mental attitudes with psychologists, can have a positive effect on the physical symptoms of disease.

A trial of the therapy in 300 patients with type 1 diabetes, led by Professor Trudie Chalder, of King’s College London, has found that it can lead to real reductions in their blood sugar, the festival was told.

The benefits appear to derive from the way in which patients become more motivated to change their diets and exercise patterns.