Crohns & Colitis - 6 Flashcards
What is Susan’s age and her diagnosis?
22 years old, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 17
What is Jerome’s age and how long has he been living with Crohn’s disease?
42 years old, living with Crohn’s disease for 20 years
What are common psychological challenges faced by individuals with IBD?
- Living with uncertainty
- Tolerating physical symptoms
- Managing relationships
True or False: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are caused by personality or psychological factors.
False
What should individuals with IBD pay attention to during their illness?
Emotional experiences and how the illness affects life and relationships
What are some psychological factors that can affect IBD management?
- Uncertainty
- Embarrassment
- Anxiety
- Worry
- Adjustment
- Dependence
- Guilt
- Doubt
Fill in the blank: Life stress may trigger a flare of ______ in some people with IBD.
[disease]
What is the best approach to understanding the impact of stress on IBD?
Know yourself and trust your experience
List some strategies to maintain resilience to stress.
- Stable sleep pattern
- Healthy diet
- Moderate exercise
- Problem-solving
- Acceptance of unfixable problems
- Sense of humor
- Engagement in life
- Spiritual needs
- Relaxation techniques
- Leisure time
- Avoiding caffeine
What percentage of women and men experience major depression at some point in their life?
1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men
What can increase the risk of depression in individuals with chronic diseases like IBD?
- Losses and frustrations from the disease
- Biological effects of inflammation
- Effects of medications
What are effective treatments for depression?
- Antidepressant medications
- Psychotherapy or counseling
- Combination of both
True or False: Depression symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for IBD symptoms.
True
What is the vicious cycle related to IBD and depression?
Depression increases the burden of illness, leading to more pain and fatigue, which makes it harder to manage IBD.
What are common symptoms of depression?
- Lack of interest
- Excessive guilt or sadness
- Persistent low mood
- Helplessness or hopelessness
- Low self-esteem
- Social withdrawal
- Suicidal thoughts
- Reduced appetite
- Low energy
- Poor concentration
- Sleep disturbances
How long does it typically take for antidepressant effects to start improving symptoms?
About 2 weeks, with full benefits in up to 12 weeks
What types of psychotherapy are effective for treating depression?
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
What is the focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy?
Identifying and changing negative thought patterns
What should you consider when preparing for psychotherapy?
- Comfort with the therapist
- Therapist’s credentials
- Openness to combining psychotherapy with medication
What is essential for discussing your health with a therapist?
A good working relationship with your therapist
What should you look for in a therapist?
Appropriate credentials, training, and professional ethics
Examples include physicians, psychologists, or social workers
Is it beneficial to combine psychotherapy and antidepressant medication?
Yes, it has proven effective in treating depression
What should you focus on when living with IBD?
Things that you can control
What are generally productive coping strategies for individuals?
- Problem-solving
- Seeking emotional support
- Looking for positives
- Maintaining realistic expectations
- Keeping a sense of humor
What are less successful coping strategies?
- Denial
- Avoidance
- Acting out of anger
What are the four basic interpersonal styles?
- Adaptable
- Support-seeking
- Self-reliant
- Cautious
What characterizes the adaptable interpersonal style?
Easy emotional closeness, comfort with dependency, no fear of being alone
Describe the support-seeking interpersonal style.
Desire for emotional intimacy, discomfort when close relationships are lacking, worries about being valued
What is a characteristic of the self-reliant interpersonal style?
Comfort without close emotional relationships and preference for independence
What describes the cautious interpersonal style?
Desire for closeness but difficulty trusting or depending on others
What is a common risk for individuals with a support-seeking style when IBD is active?
Higher risk of depression
What is the relationship between self-reliant style and symptom reporting?
Self-reliant individuals report the lowest levels of symptoms
What are the benefits and risks of self-reliance in health management?
- Better health outcomes for some conditions
- Risk of ignoring professional advice
- Suffering silently with symptoms
What is a challenge faced by individuals with a cautious style in medical settings?
Underutilization of medical resources and greater symptom experience
What should you do when stress exceeds your comfort zone?
Step back and reassess your options
What are some problem-solving strategies for managing IBD?
- Get information
- Weigh options
- Choose the best course
- Reevaluate
How do monitors gather information about their health?
They prefer to know everything and track small changes
What is a risk associated with monitors in information gathering?
Continuing to gather information beyond usefulness
What defines a blunter’s approach to information?
Gathering information only on a need-to-know basis
What should you do to improve communication with others?
Speak for yourself and avoid blame
What can be beneficial when attending medical appointments?
- Prepare a list of questions
- Bring a friend or relative
- Take notes
What are two organizations that provide support for IBD patients in North America?
- Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCF)
- Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC)
What is one strategy to help remember discussions about health?
Bring a friend or relative to help you remember what you have discussed.
Name two organizations that provide support to patients with IBD.
- Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCF) in the United States
- Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC)
What is a potential risk of using Internet chat rooms for support?
The quality of the information and support may not be reliable.
True or False: IBD presents the same way for every individual.
False
What can provide comfort to individuals diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?
Knowing that many thousands of people have gone through similar experiences.
List some medical resources a person with a chronic disease may need.
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Laboratories
What common challenge do many people with IBD face regarding pain management?
Miscommunication with health-care professionals about symptoms.
Fill in the blank: Most medical care starts with a conversation in which patients try to explain their _______.
[symptoms]
What is a significant factor in the negotiation between a patient and a doctor regarding treatment?
Pain and stress can complicate the negotiation process.
What are some professionals a patient with IBD might encounter in the medical system?
- Nurses
- Dietitians
- Gastroenterologists
- Surgeons
- Pharmacists
What is one reason Dr. Smith may be hesitant to prescribe strong narcotic pain medications?
They can mask the pain while the condition worsens.
What term describes pain that may not indicate a change in a patient’s condition?
[functional pain]
True or False: Patients with chronic pain are often easily recognized by their appearance.
False
What can influence a patient’s expectations during a visit to the emergency department?
Previous experiences with healthcare professionals.
How can a support person assist a patient in the emergency room?
They can support the patient and help communicate concerns.
What is essential for effective communication between a patient and doctor?
Mutual trust and respect.
What might a patient find difficult when in distress during a medical visit?
Remembering new information.
Fill in the blank: Strategies for coping are also needed when undergoing _______ and surgical treatments.
[drug]
What is a common aspect of emergency department visits for patients with chronic pain?
Patients may feel frustrated and misunderstood.
