Other complications of ulcerative colitis, such as the potential side effects of medication and body-altering surgeries, can also make colitis difficult to live with; stigma and misconceptions about it being a “bathroom disease” can make things even worse. Stephen Lupe, PsyD, a clinical health psychologist specializing in digestive diseases at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, says that oftentimes people with ulcerative colitis feel like their body has betrayed them. There’s also the feeling of losing control, which can be devastating for a person’s self-esteem, says Berkeley Limketkai, MD, a gastroenterologist and director of IBD clinical research at the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. “A lot of what actually drives self-esteem and confidence is the feeling that there is control,” Dr. Limketkai says. Some people may be able to maintain a healthy self-image throughout their journey with ulcerative colitis, but for many, negative feelings about their body can persist. So ask yourself: Is ulcerative colitis holding you back, or are you generally not bothered by the way UC affects your body? Take this quiz to find out if your disease has changed your perception of yourself — and what you can do about it.
