By Robert Stein, M.D.

When someone in a family has Crohn's disease, the illness has an impact on everyone who lives in the home. It is important to strive to create a family life that is as normal as possible. This can be difficult since the person with Crohn's disease has physical and emotional challenges, while the other members of the family must create coping strategies of their own.

Empathy is important, and everyone should remember that the entire family is working together to feel better. Studies have indicated that the sense of well-being for people with chronic illness is not only influenced by how painful their symptoms are, but also about the concerns and fears they have regarding their illness. Sometimes, just being aware of what someone else is going through helps one to understand how they are feeling. People with Crohn's disease often experience the following feelings:

• Severe fatigue
• Loss of control
• Negative body image
• Alone and afraid
• Feeling like a burden to their family
• Unable to reach their goals
• Feeling unclean
• Having unanswered questions

Spouses

Many feelings come to the surface when one spouse becomes ill with a chronic disease. Both the husband and wife may experience some of the following feelings:

• Anger
• Fear
• Resentment
• Sadness
• Jealousy
• Guilt

It is of the utmost importance that couples discuss their feelings with each other. Communication is key.

Parents and Children

Parents want what’s best for their children. Sometimes, in the case of a chronic disease, the answer is not always clear, but the following suggestions may help a family cope with the stresses associated with a child in the family having Crohn's disease:

• Keep your marriage strong - maintain your relationship and remember you and your spouse are still a couple.
• Educate yourself - find out all you can about Crohn's disease and inform the entire family about what you've learned.
• Stress management techniques may be helpful - there is evidence that programs such as biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation can benefit some people.
• No favoritism - try to treat all your children the same and spend equal time with each of them to prevent jealousy towards the ill child.
• Create family time - set time aside every day so that the family can gather together.
• Encourage independence - provide your ill child with the opportunity to be as responsible as possible for himself or herself.
• Be aware of the following signs and seek professional therapy if needed:
  • Poor school performance
  • Acting out
  • Insomnia
  • Poor appetite
  • Excessive appetite
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression

Remember that the information provided by this site is for general background purposes and is not intended to be used in connection with, or as a substitute for, medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your own physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.