Crohns & Colitis - 6

Question 1

What is Susan’s age and her diagnosis?

Answer 1

22 years old, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 17

Question 2

What is Jerome’s age and how long has he been living with Crohn’s disease?

Answer 2

42 years old, living with Crohn’s disease for 20 years

Question 3

What are common psychological challenges faced by individuals with IBD?

Answer 3

• Living with uncertainty
• Tolerating physical symptoms
• Managing relationships

Question 4

True or False: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are caused by personality or psychological factors.

Answer 4

False

Question 5

What should individuals with IBD pay attention to during their illness?

Answer 5

Emotional experiences and how the illness affects life and relationships

Question 6

What are some psychological factors that can affect IBD management?

Answer 6

• Uncertainty
• Embarrassment
• Anxiety
• Worry
• Adjustment
• Dependence
• Guilt
• Doubt

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Life stress may trigger a flare of ______ in some people with IBD.

Answer 7

[disease]

Question 8

What is the best approach to understanding the impact of stress on IBD?

Answer 8

Know yourself and trust your experience

Question 9

List some strategies to maintain resilience to stress.

Answer 9

• Stable sleep pattern
• Healthy diet
• Moderate exercise
• Problem-solving
• Acceptance of unfixable problems
• Sense of humor
• Engagement in life
• Spiritual needs
• Relaxation techniques
• Leisure time
• Avoiding caffeine

Question 10

What percentage of women and men experience major depression at some point in their life?

Answer 10

1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men

Question 11

What can increase the risk of depression in individuals with chronic diseases like IBD?

Answer 11

• Losses and frustrations from the disease
• Biological effects of inflammation
• Effects of medications

Question 12

What are effective treatments for depression?

Answer 12

• Antidepressant medications
• Psychotherapy or counseling
• Combination of both

Question 13

True or False: Depression symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for IBD symptoms.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is the vicious cycle related to IBD and depression?

Answer 14

Depression increases the burden of illness, leading to more pain and fatigue, which makes it harder to manage IBD.

Question 15

What are common symptoms of depression?

Answer 15

• Lack of interest
• Excessive guilt or sadness
• Persistent low mood
• Helplessness or hopelessness
• Low self-esteem
• Social withdrawal
• Suicidal thoughts
• Reduced appetite
• Low energy
• Poor concentration
• Sleep disturbances

Question 16

How long does it typically take for antidepressant effects to start improving symptoms?

Answer 16

About 2 weeks, with full benefits in up to 12 weeks

Question 17

What types of psychotherapy are effective for treating depression?

Answer 17

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Interpersonal therapy

Question 18

What is the focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy?

Answer 18

Identifying and changing negative thought patterns

Question 19

What should you consider when preparing for psychotherapy?

Answer 19

• Comfort with the therapist
• Therapist’s credentials
• Openness to combining psychotherapy with medication

Question 20

What is essential for discussing your health with a therapist?

Answer 20

A good working relationship with your therapist

Question 21

What should you look for in a therapist?

Answer 21

Appropriate credentials, training, and professional ethics

Examples include physicians, psychologists, or social workers

Question 22

Is it beneficial to combine psychotherapy and antidepressant medication?

Answer 22

Yes, it has proven effective in treating depression

Question 23

What should you focus on when living with IBD?

Answer 23

Things that you can control

Question 24

What are generally productive coping strategies for individuals?

Answer 24

• Problem-solving
• Seeking emotional support
• Looking for positives
• Maintaining realistic expectations
• Keeping a sense of humor

Question 25

What are less successful coping strategies?

Answer 25

* Denial * Avoidance * Acting out of anger

Question 26

What are the four basic interpersonal styles?

Answer 26

* Adaptable * Support-seeking * Self-reliant * Cautious

Question 27

What characterizes the adaptable interpersonal style?

Answer 27

Easy emotional closeness, comfort with dependency, no fear of being alone

Question 28

Describe the support-seeking interpersonal style.

Answer 28

Desire for emotional intimacy, discomfort when close relationships are lacking, worries about being valued

Question 29

What is a characteristic of the self-reliant interpersonal style?

Answer 29

Comfort without close emotional relationships and preference for independence

Question 30

What describes the cautious interpersonal style?

Answer 30

Desire for closeness but difficulty trusting or depending on others

Question 31

What is a common risk for individuals with a support-seeking style when IBD is active?

Answer 31

Higher risk of depression

Question 32

What is the relationship between self-reliant style and symptom reporting?

Answer 32

Self-reliant individuals report the lowest levels of symptoms

Question 33

What are the benefits and risks of self-reliance in health management?

Answer 33

* Better health outcomes for some conditions * Risk of ignoring professional advice * Suffering silently with symptoms

Question 34

What is a challenge faced by individuals with a cautious style in medical settings?

Answer 34

Underutilization of medical resources and greater symptom experience

Question 35

What should you do when stress exceeds your comfort zone?

Answer 35

Step back and reassess your options

Question 36

What are some problem-solving strategies for managing IBD?

Answer 36

* Get information * Weigh options * Choose the best course * Reevaluate

Question 37

How do monitors gather information about their health?

Answer 37

They prefer to know everything and track small changes

Question 38

What is a risk associated with monitors in information gathering?

Answer 38

Continuing to gather information beyond usefulness

Question 39

What defines a blunter's approach to information?

Answer 39

Gathering information only on a need-to-know basis

Question 40

What should you do to improve communication with others?

Answer 40

Speak for yourself and avoid blame

Question 41

What can be beneficial when attending medical appointments?

Answer 41

* Prepare a list of questions * Bring a friend or relative * Take notes

Question 42

What are two organizations that provide support for IBD patients in North America?

Answer 42

* Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCF) * Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC)

Question 43

What is one strategy to help remember discussions about health?

Answer 43

Bring a friend or relative to help you remember what you have discussed.

Question 44

Name two organizations that provide support to patients with IBD.

Answer 44

* Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCF) in the United States * Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC)

Question 45

What is a potential risk of using Internet chat rooms for support?

Answer 45

The quality of the information and support may not be reliable.

Question 46

True or False: IBD presents the same way for every individual.

Answer 46

False

Question 47

What can provide comfort to individuals diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?

Answer 47

Knowing that many thousands of people have gone through similar experiences.

Question 48

List some medical resources a person with a chronic disease may need.

Answer 48

* Hospitals * Clinics * Laboratories

Question 49

What common challenge do many people with IBD face regarding pain management?

Answer 49

Miscommunication with health-care professionals about symptoms.

Question 50

Fill in the blank: Most medical care starts with a conversation in which patients try to explain their _______.

Answer 50

[symptoms]

Question 51

What is a significant factor in the negotiation between a patient and a doctor regarding treatment?

Answer 51

Pain and stress can complicate the negotiation process.

Question 52

What are some professionals a patient with IBD might encounter in the medical system?

Answer 52

* Nurses * Dietitians * Gastroenterologists * Surgeons * Pharmacists

Question 53

What is one reason Dr. Smith may be hesitant to prescribe strong narcotic pain medications?

Answer 53

They can mask the pain while the condition worsens.

Question 54

What term describes pain that may not indicate a change in a patient’s condition?

Answer 54

[functional pain]

Question 55

True or False: Patients with chronic pain are often easily recognized by their appearance.

Answer 55

False

Question 56

What can influence a patient's expectations during a visit to the emergency department?

Answer 56

Previous experiences with healthcare professionals.

Question 57

How can a support person assist a patient in the emergency room?

Answer 57

They can support the patient and help communicate concerns.

Question 58

What is essential for effective communication between a patient and doctor?

Answer 58

Mutual trust and respect.

Question 59

What might a patient find difficult when in distress during a medical visit?

Answer 59

Remembering new information.

Question 60

Fill in the blank: Strategies for coping are also needed when undergoing _______ and surgical treatments.

Answer 60

[drug]

Question 61

What is a common aspect of emergency department visits for patients with chronic pain?

Answer 61

Patients may feel frustrated and misunderstood.