A Vicious Circle…...

Recently I received a comment on my other blog www.crohnsdiseasedigest.com and thought my reply to that comment would apply to the theme of this blog as well because it deals with how very strongly the mind directly effects the body, even in terms of disease.

My reply:

Personally, I have found that the the majority of my crohn’s symtoms have been directly caused by stress and anxiety. Quite frankly, when I reduced the stress I reduced the crohn’s and that was it, full stop. I’m still not completely symptom free but I am, for the most part comfortable and the condition is largely under control.

I know it sounds terribly simplistic but it comes down to a choice between being un-stressed and being in pain. I chose un-stressed and it didn’t matter where that stress was coming from or how serious the circumstances where that I found myself in. I just said no, I’m not going there and would sit down and listen to music or go for a walk or whatever.

As far as I’m concerned, absolutely nothing is worth the kind of torture that this disease can put you through. Unfortunately…
We live in a world where stress is not only acceptable but also actually considered to be the norm. The average person get’s stessed and that’s fine, take a pill. But, having crohn’s means I had to accept the fact  that I am not physically average and I am not normal. Actually, the realization of that in itself was a bit of a hurdle.

I think the average individual in our society might consider taking a moment, grabbing some quiet time, relaxing, taking time out for meditating or yoga, are a luxury and possibly a bit of an indulgance. Not only that but if you have children and responsibilities to other people then taking time for yourself could be considered irresponsible and self indulgant.

It has been my experience, overwhelmingly, that such is not the case for me as a crohn’s sufferer. Rather, taking that time, clearing my head and not being a puppet to external forces is not only essential it is every bit as important as eating, sleeping and even breathing. Further, in taking care of yourself by understanding that you do, in fact, require that time to be healthy than you are actually being more responsible to those around you because you can serve them far better by being healthy.

Also, and just as an aside to think about, there is a formula that can be applied here:

Stress => crohn’s flareup => Anxiety => Stress => crohn’s flareup => Anxiety => Stress => crohn’s flareup => Anxiety =>……