Crohn’s disease and psychological problems

Abstract

Crohn's disease belongs to the inflammatory diseases of the intestine . Until nowadays the cause of the disease has not been proved in certainty. It seems that it affects equally the two sexes but simultaneously it is of hereditary nature. Its treatment depends on the periods of the disease’s remission or culmination since there is no permanent treatment. The main purpose is minimizing the potential side-effects of the disease and enhancing the quality of patient’s life. In chronic diseases such as Crohn’s disease the existence of stress and fear about the uncertain, the unknown and the complications that might appear render the patient weak to react and intense situations that are psychologically pressing are created. The long use of powerful antibiotics and drugs increases the feeling of uncertainty and it creates a feeling of turbulence which contributes to the poor quality of life as far as health is concerned.  The psychological pressure has been referred to as a symptom during the period of culmination of the disease. The appearance of mental disorders usually constitutes a natural result of Crohn’s disease . Epidemiologic surveys have shown that a great amount of patients affected by Crohn’s disease will be affected by depression at some period of their lives. The evaluation and the management of a severe depressive disorder must constitute part of the clinical approach of the patients affected by Crohn’s disease