Therapy for the emotional side of UC. :cry:

I am feeling pretty depressed lately. I just feel like this disease has taken my whole life away. It's changed me in huge ways. I really think that it's overwhelming to think about the ways that it affects me. I try really hard to not focus on it, but it's hard sometimes.

I was considering maybe finding a psychologist to help me with these feelings. Does anyone see one or has anyone looked into it? I was hoping maybe there was some way to find a therapist that deals with chronic disease specifically. Are there such therapists available? Has anyone found any that specialize in chronic diseases?

Kara, I had considered starting a thread about how this has changed me. I dont know of any therapists that specify in chronic illnesses. Ive been to see councellers and one I liked and took a lot away from and the second was no help to me at all. So it'll be hit and miss. I really dont know what to advise about the emotional side of this illness. I think of it this way.... If looking for a councellor or psychologist is something that appeals to you, I would say go for it. You may not find one but doing something is a very positive step in the right direction. For me, I suffered with it until I couldnt deal with it on my own anymore. I am in the process of trying the Specific Carb Diet. For me, I dont know if its going to do me any good illness wise, its looking good so far, but doing SOMEthing instead of staying on the vicious cycle that we often get on with this illness is a positive thing for me. I am also a pray-er as well. I have a strong faith and that helps me personally with the emotional side of the illness. I spend a lot of time reading verses in the bible and meditating on those and I cant stay down. Im filled with hope and joy, energy and motivation. Im not really promoting or trying to presteletyse or evangelise but knowing how other people cope is one way of getting ideas for yourself.

My point is that doing something, diet, motivating yourself enough to LOOK for a psychologist, its like a kick up the butt that we sometimes need to get out of that depression. It also is part of the process of learning how we can carry on living with this illness. Yeah, it could be worse, but that isnt the point. I think we go thru a stage of mourning the life we really wanted but cant have bc we have to live around UC. This is normal. It took me a good 4 or 5 years to get to the point where I cant be in denial about it anymore, I had to learn to live with it and now Im at a point where I have to learn how to live with it. I pray you find hope. We all need hope.

big hugs...
gen

Sweetmelody, your posting makes me sad because I can relate. Have you ever considered surgery? It might be something to think about if you feel like you don't have much of a life anymore. It's really not that bad. I've only had the first of three surgeries for my j-pouch but I've had the bag for almost four months now and I can't tell you how nice it is to never have to think about finding a restroom quickly. All of that anxiety is gone and I don't miss it a bit. I'll lose the bag in about four months but it's really no big deal and it's very easy to adjust to. Most people who have had the surgery wished they would have done it sooner and I'm definitely in the majority. You might consider going to a surgeon for a consulation. Something to think about. Good luck to you.

Viktorcenko.. I hate to be rude, but that didn't help me at all. It was almost like... get over it. If diet helped me... I'd be absolutely freaking fine now wouldn't I. Live like a normal person!? I'm NOT. Normal people don't think twice about restrooms.. normal people aren't terrified of being in a public train to go into the city... normal people can hold jobs just fine because they're not stuck in the bathroom so often... normal people take their ability to hold their bowel movements for granted. I WAS a normal person before I was diagnosed and THAT'S what makes me depressed. It was taken away and I had NO idea how good I had it.

To the rest thank you for your advice. Sue, I really think I'll do what you suggested and call my insurance company. Thank you for that idea!

My husband wants me to get a job right now... and I don't even know how the heck I'm going to do it. Mornings are so unpredictable as to what I'll feel like so getting anywhere sometimes is difficult. Then I need to find a job that lets me go to the restroom whenever I want. I used to be a preschool teacher, but I can't leave the kids by themselves if I have to rush and I just can't put myself through that stress again.

Viktorcenko said...
UC made me stronger and I am proud that i eat healthy food.Feeling depressed gets you nowhere.Live like a normal person.Some people live on alternative food or take a look at vegeterians they are healthy but they chose different lifestyle in order to live healthier(they do not need a disease to live healthier).Just keep to your diet and live like a normal person.Some people live even worse...

OH and also... I'm really sick of hearing that people live even worse. I don't know why people don't think I know that? Why can't my situation just be bad for ME. It doesn't make it any easier to think that other people have it worse.

Kara,
My brother had a life threatening illness with a very long recovery in his early twenties. He struggled with very severe depression. One of the best things he did was seek help and was referred to an excellent psychiatrist who works specifically with medical trauma/chronic illness. This also helped my mother who was also very seriously affected by his illness. It's important that you have identified this need and you should act on it now.

Some GI's offices have a therapist on staff or at least have several they refer to....so in addition to your insurance co (excellent idea!) your GI's office might be a resource.
I am so glad you brought up the topic, sweetmelody. Living with this is not easy. I was lucky in having a network of support people and a GI who made psychological support a big part of what he did. I hope you will take the stop to find a professional to help you sort out the many UC issues that overlap and interact with so many parts of life. A therapist who deals with chronic health disorders could be a life-changing thing for you!
Keep us posted.

Thanks for your apology Viktor, I appreciate it. I think high protein would make me miserable lol, but I'm definitely glad it's working for you and that you do get to live like a normal person.

I'm sorry you went through all that lina. I had symptoms and everything and was diagnosed before I got married, but I never really got a bad flare until right after our honeymoon. We were on a cruise to Western Caribbean and I was so worried about my stomach ruining my fun that I took Immodium every day. I still believe that it caused me to go into a severe flare right when we got back. I've been fighting it ever since.

I have had a few jobs, but I am just trying to find something that is accommodating to UC now. I don't know what there is really, but I hope to find it.

I wish neither of us had to deal with this darned disease. :(

I understand completly Kara, my heart goes out to you. We share a heavy physical and emotional burden that many cannot imagine. Each experience with UC is personal. I didnt want to take anymore medication than I already do (and the interactions scare me). Depending on your beliefs (and many might laugh this off or be skeptical) but I have resorted to hypnosis. I am willing to try absolutely anything.

It has been a personal experience for me, where counselling (in my experience) seems impersonal. My hypnosis has been combined with past life regression and has become a journey. I discovered this type of therapy on a podcast (theatre of the mind) with Micheal Newton www.spiritualregression.org
He has an institute in the US and practitioners (I have found the equivalent in Australia).

I have had about 4 sessions and so far things are going well it is definitely helping me deal a lot easier with UC and its impact on my life. I have gone into remission (miraculously overnight) - so i am hopeful it's the effects of my therapy. Feeling pretty amazing and normal since. Best of luck with your decision.

linahawk said...

So i was searching and i thought it could have been a parasite that might have caused my UC
I got a special test done for a certain parasite last week and i was hoping it was the parasite and i could get the parasite killed and my UC would be gone
but got my results back and it was negative....so depressed about it, and i havent been in remission at all

I too had a parasite (Giardia lamblia) and from then on the symptoms of UC kicked in! Doctor's will deny it but I wonder...

Hey there...I myself went through the depression phase. I have crohn's/colitis. I went to a hypnotherapist because I couldn't keep the anxiety and depression under control. It worked for me. I only went twice.

The hypnotherapist taped my sessions and made me a copy. It was basically a guided meditation journey. I would put the tape on when I went to bed at night, or napped, and just let it run. I did get into remission shortly after the two sessions.

Some of my remission was reached through diet...but I found the hypnotherapy was the catalyst for letting me relax enough to focus on what else I needed to do for healing.

Hi all,

I am new to this site. Finding support and people who understand can be difficult sometimes. In March I became very ill and the doctors just threw medication at me. I was diagnosed with UC in April. I was in and out of the hospital for the last month and half of my senior year of college. I missed out so much. The weekend of my graduation, I was not able to go out and party with my friends. As a person who was already clinical depressed and on anti-depressants, I did begin to wallow. I was in pain and was not the person I was supposed to be; the person I was. Slowly I have begun to pull myself out of the hole that is my depression. I have realized I will not be the person I was before I became ill, but I can try my hardest to reach the person I can be now. This UC has put a halt to many of my plans such as grad school and getting a job. I feel like I am leeching off of my parents. But I try to remain optimistic; I will eventually get a job and eventually get to grad school.

Right now I do not have a therapist, but while I was in college I saw one regularly. It helped me greatly because usually good therapist can help put things in perspective and they are rather objective. My therapist was just your regular college therapist, but I'm sure one that specializes in helping people with chronic disease would be great. I agree with everyone else that you need to mesh with any therapist you go and see.

I hope healing comes your way.