Questions Answered By Expert
Megan Riehl, PsyD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
A: Emotional problems related to being on a biologic are not commonly reported in the literature. However, there are many other factors to consider in terms of mood and the complexities of having IBD. If you are feeling significant changes in your mood (i.e. depression, anger, anxiety, etc), you should address this quickly with your primary care provider or your gastroenterologist. Working with your providers to assess mood, the factors that may contribute and how to stabilize your emotions is important! They may recommend a review of your medications, a consultation with a mental health provider and/or an assessment with a psychiatrist. You must be your own best advocate. It is necessary to speak regularly with your providers about not only changes in your physical health, but changes in your emotional and mental health. This ensures that you are receiving the right care from a variety of specialties to address all aspects of your health. hide answer
A: Proper preparation can help with the stress or anxiety of a potentially embarrassing situation. Make sure you have an “emergency kit” in your locker or school office. Tell a trusted friend or teacher where you keep it, in case you need someone to bring it to you in the bathroom. Common items for the kit include: wet wipes, underwear, pants or leggings, large size freezer bag to transport soiled clothes, hand sanitizer and perhaps some Poo-Pourri or air freshener. It is important to remember, you may NEVER need these items, but it can feel reassuring to know they are available. In terms of frequent or urgent bathroom use, speak to your teachers about your IBD and let them know you may need to leave the classroom without permission or a pass. If they know ahead of time, this can take away the focus of your bathroom use and normalize the experience. It is important to de-stigmatize your IBD and therefore, talking with friends and teachers can help them to understand your needs and provide you with support when needed. There are also options for accommodations through the 504 Plan that you, your medical provider, teachers, parents can develop if your IBD and treatments are affecting your school performance or experience. For example, you may be able to “stop the clock” during exams if you needed to use the bathroom. There can even be ways to keep an emergency kit in or very close to the school bathroom you use. It's important to remember that stress doesn’t help anything. Therefore, if you are feeling embarrassed, reach out for support. Often times we experience more anxiety related to the possibility of a situation happening, and forget that whatever you are faced with…you will be able to cope. Having a good support network can make coping much easier. For additional information about being a teenager with IBD, check out: http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/assets/pdfs/teenguide.pdf hide answer
A: There are many ways to gain emotional support when coping with a chronic illness and an emotional support animal may be one avenue. It would likely be easiest for you to get approval for an emotional support animal if you are working with a mental health professional who can write a letter of support. Typically, symptoms of a chronic illness and the impact on one’s emotional functioning would need to be documented by a licensed professional. The health care provider, in their professional capacity, should have the ability to document your disability and the need for a reasonable accommodation of an emotional support animal. This provider could speak to the manner in which an emotional support animal will aid with alleviating some of the challenges associated with your disease and enhance your day to day functioning. If depression and anxiety are present, the provider may also highlight the ways in which an animal companion can help you manage mood symptoms which can improve your overall quality of life on a daily basis. hide answer