{"id":610468,"date":"2023-02-21T13:51:01","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T19:51:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.sellorbuyhomefast.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/21\/6-ways-living-with-crohns-may-impact-your-mental-health\/"},"modified":"2023-02-21T13:51:01","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T19:51:01","slug":"6-ways-living-with-crohns-may-impact-your-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/21\/6-ways-living-with-crohns-may-impact-your-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways Living With Crohn\u2019s May Impact Your Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

When you\u2019re diagnosed with Crohn\u2019s disease, it\u2019s typical to first focus on and be treated for the physical symptoms of your condition, which can include abdominal pain, unexpected bouts of diarrhea, rapid weight loss, and debilitating fatigue. After all, those symptoms need attention, and are likely what drove you to a GI doctor\u2019s office in the first place. All too often, though, the mental health effects that coincide with chronic physical conditions are overlooked as people address what\u2019s going on elsewhere in their bodies.<\/p>\n

In cases of Crohn\u2019s, a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, the\u00a0mind-body connection is undeniable: People with Crohn\u2019s have a significantly higher risk of anxiety and depression,1<\/sup> and there are endless ways the physical symptoms, which can unexpectedly strike at any time, derail daily functioning and make life feel stressful and chaotic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you have Crohn\u2019s, you\u2019re managing your medical symptoms, medications, health insurance, upcoming surgeries or procedures, nutrition, lifestyle, emotions, stress, relationships\u2014it\u2019s a lot, and all of that takes a toll,\u201d\u00a0Laurie Keefer, PhD, AGAF<\/a>, a health psychologist and professor of medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital\u2019s Division of Gastroenterology, tells SELF. The disease can take you on a wild roller coaster\u2014not just physically, but emotionally as well. Below, three experts who specialize in\u00a0Crohn\u2019s disease<\/a> explain what may be going on in your head as you adjust.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Coming to terms with your grief<\/h2>\n

Though a\u00a0Crohn\u2019s diagnosis<\/a> can provide relief\u2014you\u00a0finally<\/em> know what\u2019s causing your symptoms\u2014it can also signal big changes in your life, which can understandably feel a little overwhelming at first.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Frank J. Sileo, PhD<\/a>, a licensed psychologist and author of\u00a0When Your Child Has a Chronic Medical Illness<\/em><\/a>,<\/em> tells SELF that he was diagnosed with Crohn\u2019s in his early 20s. After his diagnosis, he mourned the disease-free life he once had when he could eat whatever he wanted and not worry about unintentionally losing weight or where the nearest bathroom was. \u201cFor me, and for other patients who are diagnosed later, there\u2019s a period of grief and loss, because we\u2019re grieving what used to be and how we used to be,\u201d Dr. Sileo says.<\/p>\n

Getting in touch with\u00a0a therapist who specializes in chronic illnesses<\/a> or\u00a0connecting with a support group<\/a> can help you cope with the immense feelings of loss. \u201cWhen we find that we share common feelings around grief and loss, we feel less alone and may be more able to manage and navigate such feelings,\u201d Dr. Sileo says.<\/p>\n

Building new relationships with food<\/h2>\n

Being diagnosed with Crohn\u2019s will very likely change your relationship with food<\/a>. One of the first steps you\u2019re advised to take is to identify foods that\u00a0trigger flare-ups<\/a>\u2014some people will have to give up dairy or fried foods to keep symptoms at bay, while others may have to cut out spicy foods or high-fiber fruits to find relief.2<\/sup> Not only is it difficult to\u00a0puzzle-piece together\u00a0a diet that works for you, but there\u2019s always the underlying fear you could accidentally ingest these foods or eat something that causes your symptoms to emerge.3<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Some people with Crohn\u2019s disease develop food-related anxieties, and because eating and pain often go hand in hand, they wind up restricting how much they eat or skipping meals to avoid getting sick.3<\/sup> \u201cThese fears become problematic when people begin to have very restrictive diets, avoid meals for fear of symptoms, or constantly worry about how a food will potentially impact them,\u201d\u00a0Megan Riehl, PsyD<\/a>, a psychologist specializing in gastroenterology and the clinical program director of the GI Behavioral Health Program at the University of Michigan, tells SELF.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can alleviate some of this stress by learning about how different ingredients impact your symptoms, reading food labels, and studying menus before going out to eat. These adjustments are often hard work and can be a lifelong process\u2014which\u00a0is why Dr. Riehl recommends working with a dietitian who specializes in GI conditions like Crohn\u2019s.\u00a0They can help you identify foods that can trigger symptoms and share\u00a0meal ideas<\/a> to make the whole meal-planning process feel a little less overwhelming.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Coping with body image issues<\/h2>\n

Crohn\u2019s\u2014and the medications\u00a0prescribed for it\u2014can cause uncomfortable bloating<\/a>, rapid weight loss, and acne, which, in turn, can affect your self-esteem and self-confidence, Dr. Sileo says. \u201cWhen you\u2019ve lost 20 pounds and you don\u2019t resemble yourself, it can really take a toll on how you feel about yourself,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy, given the uncertainty of Crohn\u2019s, to hyperfocus on something you may feel like you can control, like your appearance, Dr. Keefer says. You might criticize your body for suddenly looking so\u00a0different or avoid social plans because you think you don\u2019t look \u201cgood.\u201d4<\/sup> \u201cThose are mean things we do to ourselves as a way to bring back control\u201d when facing a condition that\u2019s frequently uncontrollable, she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Try to reframe your POV when you look at yourself, Dr. Keefer recommends. For example, if you\u2019re struggling with fatigue, instead of focusing on your eyes being bloodshot or puffy, take note of the shape and color of your eyes. Observing, not evaluating, your attributes, can drown out some of the harsher critiques you may tell yourself. \u201cJust describe your body, don\u2019t judge it,\u201d Dr. Keefer says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Figuring out how Crohn\u2019s fits into your relationships\u00a0<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0symptoms of Crohn\u2019s<\/a>, like bowel incontinence, can cause people to feel unattractive or unhygienic, research shows,4<\/sup> which may lead you to isolate or otherwise back away from close relationships. There\u2019s also the added pressure of knowing whether you should keep some boundaries in place\u00a0or<\/em> be an open book about what it\u2019s like to have Crohn\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Dr. Keefer says she\u2019s treated many people who felt as though their relationships crumbled because they didn\u2019t share, for example, that their fatigue prevented them from being able to go out or that their body image struggles soured their mood on a date. It can be uncomfortable to coach your SO on how to vouch for you if you end up in the ER and need treatment, or what to do if your symptoms strike during a sleepover. It can be equally tricky to figure out when to disclose you have Crohn\u2019s and how the disease impacts your daily life. And\u00a0then<\/em> there\u2019s the whole topic of dating\u2014some people with Crohn\u2019s use medical devices like a colostomy bag or\u00a0J-pouch<\/a>\u2014so explaining and educating your partners about how these tools affect romantic relationships can feel embarrassing and uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The key to navigating dating and relationships with Crohn\u2019s is communication. Craft an elevator pitch about your condition\u2014what it is, when you were diagnosed, how it\u2019s treated, and how it affects you\u2014so you\u2019re prepared to discuss it when the time\u2019s right. \u201cThat can really take some of the anxiety away,\u201d Dr. Keefer says, because you\u2019ll already know what you want to share, or not share, and how to assert your needs.<\/p>\n

Worrying about working out, especially in public\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Research\u00a0has found that exercise can alleviate certain Crohn\u2019s symptoms for some people; however, those\u00a0same<\/em>\u00a0symptoms\u2014like joint pain and fatigue\u2014often prevent people from working out in the first place.5<\/sup> Many people with Crohn\u2019s fear that working out could worsen their discomfort, so they avoid exercising even when they want to.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Group movement classes can be intimidating if you think there\u2019s a chance you might have to scoot out and run to the bathroom mid-rep. The bendy positions in yoga might have you worried that you may let some gas slip out, and the intensity of a cycle class could have you comparing your stamina to your neighbor.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We get it! It\u2019s a lot to think about. But take heart: Dr. Keefer encourages her patients to recognize that most people at the gym are wrapped up in their own experiences and aren\u2019t paying much attention to others. Practice self-compassion<\/a> and gratitude<\/a> for your body by focusing on what you\u00a0are<\/em> able to do\u2014whether that\u2019s lifting an extra pound, working out for an extra five minutes, getting outside for a short walk\u2014or letting yourself rest when you need it. The key is being kind to yourself: When you feel worried about exercise coming up, perspective is crucial. \u201cSay,\u00a0Thank you to my body for what it\u2019s able to do, because I know it\u2019s not easy,<\/em>\u201d Dr. Keefer says.<\/p>\n

Feeling mixed emotions about treatments<\/h2>\n

Treating Crohn\u2019s can involve steroids, injections, infusion treatments, immunosuppressant meds, and surgeries. Finding a\u00a0Crohn\u2019s treatment<\/a> that works for\u00a0you<\/em> can be a draining experience. \u201cYou kind of feel like you\u2019re taking lots of medications or undergoing lots of treatments, and sometimes some people don\u2019t respond well to any of the medications,\u201d Dr. Sileo says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Individual Crohn\u2019s treatments work differently for everyone and can potentially come with a mix of side effects (some might make you sleepy and moody, while others may\u00a0impact your\u00a0long-term bone health), per the National Institutes of Health<\/a>.\u00a0You may have to take multiple medications and experiment with different combos until you find a regimen that eases your symptoms\u00a0and<\/em> works for your lifestyle, Dr. Sileo adds. It\u2019s so helpful to\u00a0find a doctor<\/a> who can support you throughout this process\u2014ideally one who listens to your needs, cares, and is responsive. \u201cWhen you feel like your doctor is invested in you, patients respond accordingly, and their bodies respond accordingly,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Crohn\u2019s, the physical and emotional symptoms feed off of one another, so it\u2019s crucial to not only take care of your physical health, but your mental health as well.6,7<\/sup> The disease will have its ups and downs, but, over time, you will learn how to cope with Crohn\u2019s\u2014and enjoy life despite having to deal with it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

You are not your disease, but it is a part of who you are\u2014and so are your strengths, achievements, goals, and passions. You are more than just Crohn\u2019s, Dr. Sileo says. \u201cYou are a person first.\u201d So take care of that person\u2014we\u2019re rooting for you.<\/p>\n

If you are struggling with mental health issues, you can get support by calling the<\/em> National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI<\/em><\/a>) HelpLine at\u00a01-800-950-NAMI (6264) or texting \u201cHelpLine\u201d to\u00a062640.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology<\/em>, Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Przeglad Gastroenterologiczny<\/em>, Diet as Therapeutic Intervention in Crohn\u2019s Disease<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. International Journal of Eating Disorders<\/em>, The Diagnosis of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in the Presence of Gastrointestinal Disorders<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology<\/em>, Factors Associated With Social Participation in Persons Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. BMC Gastroenterology,<\/em> Patient Experiences With the Role of Physical Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results From a Survey and Interviews<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Frontiers in Psychiatry<\/em>, Depression and Anxiety Disorders in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Gastroenterology & Hepatology<\/em>, Considering the Bidirectional Pathways Between Depression and IBD: Recommendations for Comprehensive IBD Care<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Related:<\/strong><\/p>\n