Content informed and developed with input from people living with IBD and an expert steering committee
Compared to the general population, people with IBD have a higher lifetime rate of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.1 Ensuring adequate attention is given to a patient’s mental health is a vital part of providing quality care.
- Network with and refer people living with IBD to mental health support services.
- Monitor patients’ emotional well-being as well as their physical symptoms.
- Connect patients to IBD support groups.
- Help patients understand what to expect and what’s next. Helping resolve the unknown may help patients feel less anxious.
“I don’t recall the last time my GI doctor simply asked me, ‘How are you emotionally?’ I know that’s … not an area they focus on, but it’s extremely important.” – Self-identifying Black male living with Ulcerative Colitis
Related Patient Resources
Mental Health
A webpage from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation that focuses on the connection between IBD and mental health. It highlights the impact of IBD on mental well-being and discusses common psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and body image concerns that may arise in individuals with IBD.
Visit site
Open Path
Open Path is a non-profit organization that offers a platform to find therapists providing affordable in-office and online psychotherapy sessions for clients who are uninsured and underinsured. The page includes a search function to find a therapist by entering a city or zip code.
Visit site
Reference
- 1. Hu S, Chen Y, Chen Y, Wang C. Depression and anxiety disorders in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:714057. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714057.