Been There. Done That. You’re Welcome!
Been There. Done That. You’re Welcome!
PATIENT ADVOCACY & THE HEALING POWER OF SHARED EXPERIENCE
By James E. “Jed” Foster, Jr., MA, LMFT,
Behavioral Coach and Therapist, Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health
A diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) can feel a little lonely. Whether it’s stigma, shame, fear, or simply and aversion to sharing personal information; many IBD patients suffer in silence, effectively cutting themselves off from the wisdom, experience, and empathy afforded by those that have figured out how to “life-hack” their disease. They’re out there in support groups ready to welcome you. They’re online sharing stories and leading conversations. They’re advancing ideas and disseminating helpful pieces of information that can help you cope with your symptoms and the daily hurdles that come along for the ride.
Here is a list of benefits to finding and engaging with support and advocacy groups:
- Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged
- Reducing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue
- Talking openly and honestly about your feelings
- Improving skills to cope with challenges
- Staying motivated to manage chronic conditions or stick to treatment plans
- Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope
- Improving understanding of a disease and your own experience with it
- Getting practical feedback about treatment options
- Learning about health, economic or social resources
But how do you find the good ones? The internet is full of misinformation supported by disinformation…so how do you separate the gems from the dregs? Well, start with the link below. The September 2018 issue of Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News published a wonderful article celebrating the merits of patient advocates in the world of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Click here to learn more about how advocacy is proving to be a solid supplement to your clinician’s care. https://www.gastroendonews.com/In-the-News/Article/10-18/IBD-Patient-Advocates-Offer-Key-Assistance-to-Clinicians/52949
Make an appointment today to come in and talk to Dr. Troy and me about how gut-directed hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness training, progressive relaxation, and breath work can get you on the road to better health by helping you tackle the mental and behavioral aspect of your IBD diagnosis. Call 224.407.4400 or visit compgihealth.com to learn more.
James E. “Jed” Foster, Jr., MA-LMFT
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