Key takeaways
- Feeling worried, stressed or low is common when you live with IBD. You are not alone.
- Anxiety and depression are treatable, and getting help is part of good IBD care.
- Your GI team wants to know how you are feeling, not just how your gut is doing.
If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time, day or night. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis is about more than your gut. Flares, appointments, medicines and not knowing how you will feel tomorrow can wear you down. If you have felt worried, frustrated or sad because of IBD, those feelings are real, and many people with IBD have them too.
Why it matters with IBD
Your gut and your brain are connected. They send signals back and forth all day. That is one reason living with a gut condition can affect your mood, and why stress and worry can make symptoms feel harder to handle.
People with IBD are more likely to have anxiety or depression than people without it. That is not a sign of weakness. It is a common part of living with a long-term condition, and it is something your care team can help with. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation has more on how IBD and mental health affect each other.
Signs worth noticing
Everyone has hard days. It may be time to ask for support if, for two weeks or more, you notice:
- Worrying most days, or worry that is hard to switch off
- Feeling down, empty or hopeless
- Losing interest in things you usually enjoy
- Sleeping much more or much less than usual
- Pulling away from friends, family or activities
- Avoiding going out because of worry about symptoms
First steps you can take
You do not have to fix everything at once. Small steps count.
- Tell your GI team how you are feeling. It is part of your health, and they can help you find support. Tips for talking to your healthcare team can help you get started.
- Ask about a referral. A mental health professional who works with people with chronic illness can teach you tools for coping.
- Connect with others who get it. Talking with people who live with IBD can help you feel less alone. Support groups and community programs are one place to start.
- Look after the basics. Rest, gentle movement and time with people you trust can help on hard days.
Try this week
- Write down one or two words that describe how you have felt this week.
- Share them with your GI team at your next visit or check-in.
- Do one small thing that usually lifts your mood, even for 10 minutes.
When to talk to your care team
Talk to your GI doctor’s office if low mood or worry lasts more than two weeks, gets in the way of work, school, sleep or eating, or makes it hard to take your medicines or keep appointments.
If you have a SonarMD care coordinator, you can also reach out between visits. They can help you get questions to your GI team.
Get help right away if you have thoughts of harming yourself. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.