Stigma can be tough to face, but it’s not something you have to carry alone. As a gastrointestinal (GI) psychologist who works with people living with IBD, I use several evidence-based tools that help reduce the impact of stigma and make everyday life feel more manageable and fulfilling.
1. Share Your Diagnosis on Your Terms
“By opening up and sharing something that is such a big part of you and your identity, you quickly come to realize whether that person is meant to have access to your life,” says Natalie Hayden, an IBD patient advocate, blogger, and Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation social media ambassador.
Many people find it helpful to think ahead about what they need from a conversation — understanding, emotional support, or practical accommodations — and then choose simple language that feels comfortable, such as “I have a chronic digestive disease that sometimes causes pain and urgent bathroom trips.”
“I told my husband I had Crohn’s disease on our third date,” Hayden says. “We were out to lunch and I casually brought it up. I was pleasantly surprised by his response and care, and it was never an issue from that point forward. It was comforting to know I had a partner who genuinely saw me for so much more than my disease.”
“Not everyone is meant to be a partner for someone with chronic illness, but for us, it’s imperative we don’t settle, and that we find someone who lifts us up and sees us for more than our IBD,” she says.
2. Build a Supportive IBD Community
Feeling like the only person with IBD in your life can make stigma feel heavier, but connecting with others who truly get it can create powerful relief. IBD support programs and patient organizations like the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation offer spaces to share stories, compare coping strategies, and feel less alone.
If managing IBD feels overwhelming despite social support, consider working with a GI psychologist specializing in chronic health and gut-brain behavioral therapies to help manage these challenges.
3. Practice Cognitive Reframing
Over time, practicing reframing can help you separate who you are from the stigmatizing messages you may have absorbed about IBD.
4. Ask for Accommodations
Advocates emphasize that accommodations are not special treatment; they level the playing field so you can succeed while managing a chronic digestive illness. A simple script such as “I’m managing a chronic digestive disease, and there may be times I need quick restroom access or occasional flexibility to continue doing my best work” can open the door to support without requiring you to share your entire medical history.
“I wish I had known early on all the ways accommodations could be applied as a student,” says Kaylaa’ White, a college student and Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation social media ambassador who was diagnosed with IBD at 17. Kaylaa’ has since worked with her college disability services office to implement several accommodations, including flexibility with attendance, additional time on exams and assignments, and permission to carry snacks to class.
“At my last GI follow-up before the semester starts each school year, I request two letters: an American Disabilities Association (ADA) compliance letter and a more detailed letter highlighting all the ways Crohn’s disease and an ostomy can impact housing, dining, and academics on campus,” she says. “The second letter tends to go into greater depth, and I feel comfortable sharing that additional context when needed because it leaves little room for back-and-forth between me, my school, and my doctor.”
But she says, you don’t have to share that much if you don’t want to. It’s okay to be brief when requesting accommodations.
5. Care for the Gut–Brain Connection
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