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One of the most demoralizing things a person can experience is being diagnosed with a chronic illness. For those suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the emotional adjustment can be particularly difficult. Losing control of one of our most basic physical functions can generate depression, anxiety, phobias and low self-esteem. Most of us can't remember a time when control over bowel functions wasn't something we just took for granted. IBD effects our ability to function at just about every level. Frequent bowel movements, rectal bleeding, anemia, fever, night sweats, constant abdominal pain and many other secondary symptoms can make routine tasks extremely difficult. Even the basic joy of eating a good meal is stripped away. Food becomes an enemy, basic nutrition can be difficult to maintain and eating out for many is impossible.
None of us wishes to be defined as a person by a medical diagnosis or illness. Most of us connect, at least partially, our physical health with our self-esteem. For many IBD sufferers, the emotional upheaval of having to constantly attend to this debilitating and inconvenient illness severely effects our self-perception. How does a dancer cope with not being able to dance? How does a business owner cope with his or her inability to do all of the things it takes to run their own business? IBD can shake the very foundation of one's self-esteem. This can lead to symptoms of emotional adjustment that generate as many problems as the physical illness.
Coping Strategies
Its important to assess how having IBD has effected one's life.
- How effectively is the treatment you're receiving controlling your symptoms?
- What dietary changes are needed to reduce flare-ups?
- How has your physical stamina been effected?
- What activities have been impacted?
- How are significant others reacting?
- What level of stress is the illness causing?
- Has your self-esteem been effected?
- How has the illness effected your sleep patterns?
- Are there things you know would help that you're resisting?
- Are you avoiding activities due to fear or embarrassment?
These are just a few of the things one must assess when attempting to develop a coping strategy for IBD. After a thorough evaluation of IBD's effect on your life, its time to take action to minimize its impact.
- Gather written materials to educate yourself about IBD.
- Enlist the support of others with IBD through CCFA support groups.
- Dialogue with significant others about the best way that they can help and the best way you can help them.
- Keep logs of dietary and medication changes and their effect on your IBD symptoms.
- Learn to meditate or do some form of stress reduction technique.
- Create a list of positive affirmations to help remind you of your treatment goals and the wonderful things about yourself and your life. We tend to forget these things when it feels like IBD has taken over our lives.
- Commit to being flexible. One of the worst things one can do is to ignore IBD and try to go on as if there was no problem. Resisting the adjustments one must make to manange the illness is the quickest way to worsen symptoms or experience relapses.
- Pace yourself. Set priorities for chores and activities and don't overwhelm yourself.
- Get counseling. If your emotional symptoms are not resolving themselves, enlist the advise and support of a professional who specializes in the psychological issues related to having IBD.
- Talk with your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions and make sure you're satisfied that your treatment is as effective as it can possiblly be.
- Get involved with CCFA. Help yourself and the millions with IBD by becoming a member of CCFA, volunteering your time, making donations or helping to raise money for much needed research. You'll feel like you're taking an active part in the fight for a cure and better treatments for IBD.
Adjusting to the symptoms and life changes brought on by IBD takes time, patience and perseverance. The results of such efforts can make a world of difference in the quality of your life and the lives of those you care about. Don't allow IBD to define you, instead, do what you can to adjust and minimize its impact on your life. There may not be a cure for IBD yet, but there are ways to control its symptoms and take your life back.
If you'd like more information about IBD, check out
CCFA's web site or contact CCFA at their national headquarters at:
386 Park Ave, South
17th Floor
NY, NY 10016
1-800-932-2423
Article Updated 1/18/01
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