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Talking to people Going out Stay positive, get involved 
There can be a social stigma about affairs of the bowel. Many people find discussing anything to do with their 'private parts' very difficult. This can add to the isolation you might feel if you have colitis or Crohn's disease.Lack of knowledge about conditions like colitis and Crohn's disease can create awkwardness about discussing them. But in recent years, things have been changing because of an increased focus on health and sexual health generally and more openness in the media about so-called 'embarrassing' problems. So more people will have heard about Crohn's disease, even if they don't understand exactly what it is. Let's face it, everyone goes to the toilet, including the Pope and the Queen of England, so it can't really be all that much to be making a fuss over! Talking to peopleDiscussing your condition openly can be the best approach. Perhaps start with your family and good friends. It is all about trust and if you feel comfortable with people close to you, then it will make it easier for you to discuss your condition with others. Often the more people you tell, the easier it will become to discuss the problem openly.People are becoming more curious and frank about health issues than they were in the past so use that to your advantage. You might find some people more receptive than you might expect. You can judge how much explanation is needed by their interest level and what questions they ask about your symptoms. In the future you may need to make difficult decisions about your treatment, and the people with whom you have shared your problem are likely to support you in these situations. Talking to people can help you cope with your symptoms, remove the feelings of isolation and improve your quality of life. A support group may be helpful. You can find the Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn's Disease at http://www.iscc.ie/ Going outGoing out can be a considerable cause of anxiety for a number of practical reasons. If you know you may have a bout of diarrhoea, it's hard to relax. In many towns and cities, access to public toilets can be limited. Forward planning is therefore needed. Part of this may involve taking a change of clothing with you as a precaution.Stay positive, get involvedIt may be difficult to remain positive all of the time as coping with Crohn's can sometimes be a struggle.However, talking can help, particularly with others who are in the same situation as you. The Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn's Disease, (http://www.iscc.ie/) is open three mornings a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). It also produces yearly newsletters, runs open meetings and generally provides a listening ear and friendly support at low times. You may find it useful to visit online discussions and blogs sites on Crohns and colitis, where you can read the comments made by other people in a similar position to you, and post your own comments. This gives you the opportunity to join an 'online community' of people who know precisely what you're going through, as they are in the same boat themselves. This can be a great source of moral support, as well as sometimes developing into a social network in itself for people living with Crohn's disease. If you wish, you could make contact online with a view to meeting up with others in a similar situation. As ever, when communicating online, be careful about giving away personal information to strangers unless you are absolutely certain of their bona fides. |
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