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.

“For the person offering support, it’s respecting that the person with IBD may choose to share only certain information, and supporting them in that, and remembering that we don’t always have to know everything to be of help.

“IBD is a lifelong condition where any part of the gut can become inflamed. Symptoms can vary depending on where the disease is in the gut, how active it is and the body’s unique response to inflammation. Common symptoms include diarrhoea, fatigue, and pain. While there’s currently no cure, early diagnosis and treatment can help stabilise the disease.

An IBD diagnosis can lead to grieving for the life you had planned and coming to terms with what life will now look like with IBD as part of it

It can be very unpredictable. Knowing your limits and being intentional about lifestyle is important.

“Because it’s an invisible condition, there can be a lack of understanding around it. When someone has a flare, it might be necessary to cancel plans at short notice. That can lead to a sense of guilt and shame and a tendency towards self-criticism.

“As part of World IBD Day on May 19, I will be taking part in a webinar hosted by Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland, marking the launch of its ‘It Takes a Village’ campaign to highlight the importance of having a support network or village when living with IBD. It will encourage people to learn the basics about IBD, to offer flexibility, listen without judgement, make participation possible and offer practical help.”

• A new hands-on guide on how to be an ally has also been published. To register for the free webinar and to access the guide, see crohnscolitis.ie/ItTakesAVillage