Is there a connection between poor mental health and UC?

I Gotta Go

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2007

Posts : 44

Posted 9/6/2007 1:42 PM (GMT -7)

To add insult to injury, I not only deal with my funky intestinal problems but also suffer from minor amounts of depression mingled with larger issues surrounding anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) that I've had since my teen age years. Is there a connection? Are there other members who confess to similar circumstances and who are taking an anti-depressant for their problems in addition to whatever you may be taking for what is going on in your gut?

I am just curious. It seems to me there is a connection.

laurar

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2006

Posts : 730

Posted 9/6/2007 1:52 PM (GMT -7)

Yes, there is definitely a connection. Many of us have talked in the past about anxiety being on of the first symptoms we feel at the onset of a flare. I also deal with intermitent bouts of anxiety and mild depression. I've heard that many of your mood regulating hormones are produced in your gut, so it makes sense that if your gut is out of whack your moods may be too.

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Dansky

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Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 2844

Posted 9/6/2007 2:31 PM (GMT -7)

I understand that depression can be brought on by any chronic illness and it's no surprise that UC can bring on or exacerbate depression/anxiety, we live in constant pain, dread going anywhere in case and quite literally have to change our whole lifes in order to stay in control.

Take care.

Dave

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quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31163

Posted 9/6/2007 5:25 PM (GMT -7)

Depression or anxiety wouldn't/doesn't cause UC.

Many can become depressed or have anxiety attacks brought forth from being sick or from having chronic illness. Hormone fluctuations (and actually prednisone) can exacerbate symptoms or even trigger bipolar disorder.

I've inherited the tendency of depression/anxiety quite honestly from my mother's side and somewhat my dad's. Therapy helped me deal with them as well as Effexor for depression.

I think our coping mechanisms are both nature and nurture.

quincy

*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 3rd night)

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals

~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime

~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

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suebear

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2006

Posts : 5698

Posted 9/6/2007 6:43 PM (GMT -7)

I guess I am an exception. No stress or anxiety until after 10 years of having the disease and the disease and the drugs are what caused my anxiety. UC is not caused by poor mental health, but having the disease can dispose one to poor mental health as in my case.

Sue

dx proctitis in 1987

dx UC in 1991, was stable until 1998

1998 started prednisone, asacol, pentasa, nortriptylene, ativan, 6MP, rowasa enemas and suppositories, hydrocortisone enemas, tried the SCD diet, being a vegetarian, omega 3s, flax, pranic healing, yoga, acupuncture, probiotics

2000 lost all my B-12 stores and became anemic

2001 opted for j-pouch surgery- now living life med-free

Wiped Out

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2007

Posts : 71

Posted 9/6/2007 7:39 PM (GMT -7)

I agree it seems people with UC have a good reason to be anxious or depressed at times. It would take more fortitude than I have not to be affected mentally or emotionally after a long period of a chronic illness. If these feelings persist into weeks or months, I would certainly have a CBC to check for iron deficiency anemia. The world was a much better place after I finally was diagnosed and treated with iron supplements.

Left-sided UC Diagnosed 2004

Iron Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed 2007

Indeterminate Dysplasia Biopsy Result 2006

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Post Edited (Wiped Out) : 9/6/2007 8:43:18 PM (GMT-6)

pb4

Elite Member

Joined : Feb 2004

Posts : 20577

Posted 9/6/2007 9:25 PM (GMT -7)

I don't know, I have crohns-colitis and I think I'm nuts now compared to what I was like before I had it...LOL!

:)

My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it! LOL :)

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