Fighting Crohn’s Disease Depression |
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Maintaining a positive attitude while dealing with a chronic disease like Crohn’s can be incredibly difficult, but it is nonetheless important.
Various studies and some anecdotal evidence have shown that depression and stress can intensify a flare-up. Some Crohn’s patients swear that they can count on a flare-up to happen during times of anxiety or despair. Others note that when their depression is under control the pain isn’t as intense or as debilitating.
First Step – See Your Doctor
Depression is a medical condition and should be treated as such. Talking to a physician is the first and most important step to take. Most doctors who treat Crohn’s patients are well aware of the dangers of depression and are equipped to not only treat it, but offer guidance on how to handle it.
Many doctors will take the direct route and prescribe an antidepressant from the very beginning stages. There are many drugs on the market to help in beating depression, and finding the right one early can make a big difference in your life very quickly. Most of the possible recommendations will fall into one of the three categories below:
- Tricyclic – One of the more common drugs on the market until recently, Tricyclic medications come in various forms and each person can have a very unique reaction to the individual medicines. Side affects range from bloating and weight gain to anxiety and sleeplessness, though most fade away after the first four to six weeks on the drug. Name brands include: Elavil® and Vivactil®
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) – The biggest concern regarding MAOIs is the risk of reactions to various over-the-counter medications, as well as various foods and drinks. Be sure to get a complete list of restrictions from your physician or pharmacist before starting this medication. Name brands include: Nardil® and Parnate®
- SSRI – The newest type of anti-depressant on the market, these are prone to give intestinal problems, and should be prescribed to Crohn’s patients carefully and only during remissions to avoid causing more problems. They do, however, have considerably less side-affects than the Tricyclic drugs over all. Name brands include: Zoloft®, Prozac® and Paxil®
- Other – There are numerous medications that don’t fit the chemical make-up of the above-listed medications, so they are often referred to as simply “others”. These tend to be last resort type medications or prescribed in conjunction with either a Tricyclic or SSRI antidepressant. One of these drugs – Cymbalta® – has been shown in studies to be effective in treating not only depression symptoms, but also painful physical symptoms by blocking certain neuro-transmitters, a plus for those who suffer from a chronic disease. Name brands include: Effexor® and Wellbutrin®
Each has different side-affects and treats the problem in different ways. It may take several months to find the right one for you, but once you do, the difference will be remarkable.
Remember to take this medication strictly according to doctor’s orders and don’t stop taking it without first talking to him or her. Discontinuing this type of medication without tapering off can cause severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Consider these drugs as seriously as you do your other medications and handle them accordingly.
Therapy – Alone or With Others
Thankfully, over the last 20+ years, the stigma involved in seeing a psychotherapist, or “talk therapist”, has gradually faded away. More and more people are finding that having a set time, place, and person to talk about the anger, humiliation, and fears involved in dealing with Crohn’s disease is a wonderful catharsis.
With so many chronic diseases now being diagnosed, there is no shortage of therapists who understand what you’re going through and can offer help in dealing with the depression associated with the disease.
Support groups are also springing up everywhere. For what was one an unheard of illness, Crohn’s support groups now run the gamut from live meetings to Internet chat boards and forums. Finding the right type of support group may take some effort, but knowing that others are dealing with the same things you are can do a lot toward buoying your outlook.
In the end, the responsibility of taking care of your mental health resides with you, and it should be handled as seriously as every other aspect of your well-being.
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