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Is there a connection between poor mental health and UC?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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I Gotta Go
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 44
Posted 9/6/2007 2:42 PM (GMT -6)
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.
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laurar
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2006
Posts : 734
Posted 9/6/2007 2:52 PM (GMT -6)
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
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 2844
Posted 9/6/2007 3:31 PM (GMT -6)
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 : 33217
Posted 9/6/2007 6:25 PM (GMT -6)
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
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suebear
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2006
Posts : 5698
Posted 9/6/2007 7:43 PM (GMT -6)

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

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Wiped Out
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 71
Posted 9/6/2007 8:39 PM (GMT -6)
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. 


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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 9/6/2007 10:25 PM (GMT -6)
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!


:)
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