Anxiety Management When Living With IBD

Anxiety Management when leaving the house with IBD

Having inflammatory Bowel Disease can be very hard to live with. There are so many different symptoms which can make leaving the house very stressful. Here are some tips to ease your anxiety whilst out and about.

Owning a “Just Can’t Wait” Toilet Card:

You can get this from the Crohn’s Charity website. This card states your name and the condition you have. You can show this to anyone in a shop or event that has a toilet que, this allows you to go straight to the front of the que or use any other toilet available.

Being with people you trust:

I find going out is always easier when I am with people I trust and that could look after me. This will make you feel safer and ease any anxiety.

Planning ahead:  

If you plan ahead, you can ensure where you are going has plenty of toilet options and know where they are. I always choose restaurants I know well and can easily access the toilets.

Sticking to your safe foods:

When eating out, our anxiety can be at its highest as we are worried, we will flare. Sticking to our safe foods will help reassure us and keep our flares down as much as possible whilst we are out.

Packing Spare Clothes:

It is common to have accidents during IBD flares. I often worry about having them when I am leaving the house so I always carry spare clothes with me just in case. This gives me a piece of mind when out and about.

To summarise:

It can be daunting to leave the house when facing so many different symptoms. When my symptoms were at their worst, I found leaving the house very difficult and would have to mentally prepare myself. The tips I have stated in this blog will all support you to leave your house with less anxiety and will ensure you have aids to support you.