Psychological Concepts, Theories, and Models related to Crohn's Disease

 

    Crohn's Disease is  a inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people, most common is the small intestine. Throughout this blog we will talk about psychological concepts, theories, and models that relate to Crohn's disease. Also being discussed will be how individuals around others with Crohn's disease can help. 

    Psychological Concepts

The psychological concepts that are connected with Crohn's disease are stress, depression, and anxiety of feeling alone. Those with Crohn's face an increase in their stress because of the need to cope with daily threats. (Marini & Stebnicki, 2018) For example not getting to a bathroom in time. They also have to worry about fulfilling familial, social, and vocational roles. (Marini & Stebnicki, 2018)  Depression is higher in patients with Cronh's disease than any other disease. Depression can make you feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless, making managing Crohn's feel insurmountable. (Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, 2022) When living with Crohn's disease both the patient and healthcare provider need to look at both the physical symptoms and emotional symptoms of Crohn's disease. Below is a link to a video that helps explain anxiety and stress related to Crohn's disease: 
    
    https://youtu.be/Qx1oJDZIDhA

    

    Theories

The University of Bologna in Italy came up with the theory involving attachment and mentalization. In this theory they aim to contribute the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the poor quality of social relationships and the tendency of medication non-adherence in patients with IBD like Crohn's. (Valentina & Alessandro, 2020) The hypothesis was to an individuals attachment style referring to a complex and characteristic pattern of relating to self and others and mentalization refers to the process of interfering ones own and others mental and physical states. They believed this was a risk factor for both developing IBD related psychological disorders and reduced medication adherence, which then can lead to worsen disease management and prognoses for the disease course. The medication nonadherence is considered both an outcome and a risk factor of this vicious circle. In conclusion this theory shared the view that preventing the worsening of the IBD condition and promoting patients medication adherence would be possible by considering the circular relationship between IBD, attachment, and mentalization and by promoting reflective functioning in patients wit IBD, from the onset of the disease. (Valentina & Alessandro, 2020)  

    Models

One model that is new to help patients with Crohn's disease is called stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy can reduce inflammation and promote healing. Although it is used for patients with Crohn's disease it is still being further studied to understand the long-term efficacy. it has also been shown through multiple studies that Mesenchymal stem therapy is an effective and safe treatment for complex perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease who did not respond to traditional or biological therapies. (Cona, 2023) Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)are a type of stem cell found to have immunodulatory properties. They can modulate the immune system, helping those with Crohn's disease. MSCs can target inflammation within the body and repair damaged tissue. (Cona, 2023) The physicals part of Crohn's is not the only thing that effects the patient, they also have other symptoms in their daily life that come along with it. These are stress, depression, and anxiety to help these symptoms therapy is recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the top therapies used for depression and anxiety. In CBT the goal is to change the patients negative thinking and behaviors. It also helps the patient to recognize and accept events can be beyond your control. 

    How Those in Their Environment Can Help

After doing much research for Crohn's disease one thing that is a huge problem for individuals with this disease is finding a bathroom. One thing that can help is making sure there are bathrooms easily accessible to prevent the individuals from having to have an accident.  Another helpful action would be having healthy options at gathering or events  held by the community. Individuals with Crohn's cannot eat many different things because it can cause them pain. The biggest thing that with help individuals with Crohn's disease is being supportive and educated. this disease can cause accidents that are embarrassing or cause an individual to feel out of place, showing them support will go along way and help calm their nerves.  



Reference:

Rrmo Marini & Mark A. Stebnicki, (2018) The Psychological n Social Impact of illness and Disability


Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, (2022) Mental and Emotional Well being https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/mental-health


Colonnello Valentina & Agostini Alessandro, (2020) Disease course, stress, attachment, and mentalization in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, https://eds-p-ebscohost-com.bakerezproxy.palnet.info/eds/detail/detail?vid=5&sid=7ed6e5f3-9a53-4677-84b4-6c2f7dbbc140%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#AN=S0306987719313532&db=edselp


Louis A. Cona, (2023) Stem Cell Therapy: A Crohn's Disease Breakthrough in 2023 https://www.dvcstem.com/post/crohns-disease-breakthrough?msclkid=9c3fb431cb6a10c42045d0b0212173b8








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