Ulcerative Colitis and "The Depression Cycle"

It Can Ruin Your Life

I had to visit a rheumatologist recently. While ulcerative colitis was not his specialty, he was very familiar with it on a personal level as well as being aware of symptoms and results of the illness that overlapped his particular field.

Illnesses that create pain often create immobilization. Immobilization creates additional physical problems such as muscle atrophy and mental problems such as depression. This is known as the "Chronic Symptom Cycle" or just "The Depression Cycle".

The reason that the name is used in conjunction with the mind more than the body is that because the cycle takes away the mental desire to fight. Anyone who has ever suffered from depression knows how hard it is to make yourself move and also how little one wishes to interact with other people.

The problem with "The Depression Cycle" is that there is often a legitimate reason not to move. Ulcerative colitis can be a very painful illness involving cramping among other things. With fever, it can even cause muscle and joint pain. Failure to move or exercise prevents the release of endorphins which trigger an "upbeat feeling". The failure to produce endorphins leaves an ulcerative colitis sufferer open to more severe depression.

Once the ulcerative colitis patient is severely depressed, beating the illness seems impossible. The ulcerative colitis patient will tend to stay at home and withdraw. Further they will become dormant even within the home.

I have experience with the "The Depression Cycle" and it is very difficult to cope with. I often have cramping from ulcerative colitis. This takes away all desire to do any exercise. Further, I don't want to be around friends or family for fear of an embarrassing episode even though most of my friends and family are aware of my condition. I also suffer from occasional bouts of depression. This feeds on my inactivity.