Working Life: “An IBD diagnosis can lead to grieving for the life youhad planned”

Dr Susan Brannick, clinical psychologist with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and clinical director of mental health charity Aware.

Dr Susan Brannick, clinical psychologist with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and clinical director of mental health charity Aware.

“Rates of psychological distress in the IBD population are higher than in the general population, so the need for support can be quite high. People can experience stress, anxiety, and depression related to their IBD.

“People with IBD often feel cautious about sharing information about their illness, or its impact on their mental health, as it’s quite personal. However, I’d encourage people to consider taking some small risks to do that, whether that’s simply having someone to talk to in times of stress or receiving more practical support during times of flare.