Parenting Teenagers Who Have Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis attacks people both physically and mentally, and, can play havoc with their self-image. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that teenagers are about as vulnerable as anyone to problems which deal with self-image.

What can parents do to support their teens living with Ulcerative Colitis?

First and foremost, get the proper medical treatment. One thing that we have found is that once the illness is initially brought under control, if there is a flare-up teens don't want to go back through treatment if for no other reason than it takes time out of their busy schedule. However, Ulcerative Colitis is a disease that attacks most effectively from disregard and further, that is also when it can worsen.

We have found it important not to force our son to do things he is not comfortable doing. For example, it is not important that he spend time at people's homes for things like sleepovers just to prove he can do it. There is plenty of time to "toughen up" during life. Ulcerative Colitis is something that can be learned about, socially, over time and it is important to give each child their own "space" to work on it.

Conversely, when a teen wants to try something, whether it is sports or anything socially, the parents should, unless it is dangerous, support them. As a parent of a teen with Ulcerative Colitis, I have found that it is easy to be over-protective. I think that is partially because I have a mild case of it and I don't want him to go through some of the embarrassing things I did. It is important that I and other parents remember that our kids are way tougher and way more resourceful than most of us give them credit for, so, we simply need to give them support.