I was honoured to speak at the 2023 Multi-disciplinary Care for IBD Forum (MCIBD) from the perspective of both a patient and mental health practitioner. Please enjoy my talk below!
The Vicious Cycle
The unpredictability, uncertainty and chronic course of Inflammatory Bowel Disease can cause and/or exacerbate a wide range of psychological and interpersonal concerns in patients.
Patients with IBD experience emotional distress relating to factors such as loss of bowel control, impairment of body image, fear of sexual inadequacy, social isolation, fear of dependency, concern about not reaching one's full potential and fear of stigmatization.
There is a high prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with IBD
A third of patients affected by anxiety symptoms
A quarter affected by depression symptoms.
Prevalence was also increased in patients with active disease
Half met criteria for anxiety
A third met criteria for depression
Overall, women with IBD are more likely to have symptoms of anxiety and depression than men with IBD
What do you wish your doctors understood about how IBD impacts your mental health, sexuality, fertility and family planning?
"Sometimes I just want to be treated like a knowledgeable human being who's part of the conversation rather than simply being told what is best for me"
"It's difficult to convey to the doctor that I want help not just for my digestive system but also as a whole person with feelings. Pushing it off like some computer task that can just wait for weeks or months at a time makes me feel like I'm not important or even worth fixing... all of this is absolutely anguishing to mental health. Feeling like I can't do anything, like I'm completely exhausted, that I'm not worthy of being advocated for by my very own doctor"
"Just because I'm not a doctor doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about. And even if I didn't, my concerns and questions are still valid. Please please please stop treating patients like a problem to be solved. We are people. And we deserve to have a say in our bodies and our treatment plans"
"I wish Obgyn's would push for their patients to be seen by a GI when symptoms could be disease and not a side effect of pregnancy"
"Not taking fertility as important part of medical discussions. Not fully discussing options pre surgery to preserve fertility. Talk about how after pregnancy a flare can occur"
"How GI docs and Obgyns can communicate and collaborate better in regards to pregnancy planning and care while pregnant and after like breastfeeding"
Breaking Free of the Vicious Cycle: Integrative support for mind, body & soul
Yoga, meditation and breathwork
Self-compassion & gratitude practices
Peer support
Exploring connection to spirituality
Self-reflection, creative expression and connection with emotions through therapy and journaling
Dancing, singing, listening to music
Communing with nature