J Health Psychol. 2021 Oct;26(12):2290-2303. doi: 10.1177/1359105320911427.Epub 2020 Mar 16.

Antonina Mikocka-Walus ¹, Inna Hanlon ², Madeleine Dober ¹, Catherine Emerson ¹, Lauren Beswick ³, Christian Selinger ⁴, Jo Taylor ², Lisa Olive ¹, Subhadra Evans ¹, Catherine Hewitt ²

Author information

¹Deakin University, Australia.

²University of York, UK.

³Barwon Health, Australia.

⁴The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.

Abstract

This study explored the lived experience of people with inflammatory bowel disease and anxiety/depression. It utilised a deductive biopsychosocial framework. Overall, 24 patients and 20 healthcare professionals from two countries participated. In the United Kingdom, the main themes included (1) bidirectional relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and mental health, (2) the need for healthcare integration and (3) lack of awareness about the disease. In Australia, (1) the 'vicious cycle' of inflammatory bowel disease and psychosocial health, (2) the need for biopsychosocial healthcare integration and (3) the stigma of a hidden disease. Better communication around mental illness is essential in improving inflammatory bowel disease healthcare.