Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel illness causing swelling anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract that can lead to multiple complications. The emotional effects of Crohn's disease are myriad, and mostly related to the physical effects on the body. This bowel disease usually strikes in young adulthood, between the ages of 20 and 30, and is a lifelong disease causative of chronic diarrhea and pain.
Altered Self-Image
Self-image, or how the body is physically perceived, is an important factor in self-confidence and sexuality. Crohn's can cause amenorrhea, or lack of periods, with decreased libido, or sex drive. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, two-thirds of those with Crohn's will need surgery to repair the colon at some point. This surgery results in permanent or transient physical appearance changes, such as the need for an ostomy or stoma, which is an opening that drains bowel contents from the intestines through the abdomen into a bag.
Social Withdrawal
People with Crohn's suffer bowel control problems that can lead to embarrassing and frequent episodes of diarrhea. According to a June 2010 teleconference hosted by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, women have a 20 percent higher chance of reoccurring events. These recurrent flare-ups have a detrimental effect on planning abilities and lifestyle. If surgical repair is done, the colostomy, or outside pouch gathering the stool contents, makes some embarrassed to leave their homes until they become more comfortable with this piece of medical equipment.
Anger
Getting a lifelong, incurable diagnosis of bowel disease is an emotional challenge. Anger is a natural response to learning that something is wrong with the body and cannot be fixed. Crohn's disease can lead to many complications, including infection; fistulas, or abnormal openings in the bowel; abscesses; anemia; and arthritis. Feelings of anger can occur when insurance rates increase due to this diagnosis, at a crucial time when medical treatment will be needed.
