Did you know that approximately 25% of people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS)? This PTS is directly related to disease experiences and related hospitalizations and is referred to as IBD-PTS. So what is IBD-PTS? It is when a patient experiences significant trauma related to the underlying condition and that trauma flashes back in the form of nightmares and unwanted memories. It may result in disturbed sleep, hypervigilance, and even low mood, including depression and anxiety. Did you also know that there is a bidirectional relationship between IBD and depression and anxiety? This means declining mental health can contribute to disease activity, and IBD activity can also…
autoimmune disease, chronic illness, Crohn's, living with IBD, medical trauma, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Ostomy, PTSD, stigma, Ulcerative Colitis
