Ulcerative Colitis and Social Life

UC and your social life

When asked about their ability to have an active social life, 55% of those surveyed for Voices of UC reported avoiding social engagements due to ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms, while 37% found the ability to make and keep social engagements with friends difficult. Voices of UC survey findings also revealed that more than 60% of people with UC feel their friends only know what they tell them about their disease, and only 1% would refer to their friends as experts on UC.

Good friends are often wonderful resources for people sidelined by the debilitating symptoms of UC. Close friends can provide emotional support to assist with some basic needs, such as cooking, cleaning, and child care, when one is experiencing UC-related symptoms. For some, however, making and maintaining friendships can pose a challenge because it is sometimes hard for healthy people to understand the nature of a chronic illness.

According to Voices of UC, more than 75% of people surveyed feel there is a need for increased awareness about UC among the general public, and close to 50% of people feel there is a need for increased awareness about UC among families and friends. Raising awareness about UC will help those affected become better positioned for success socially as well as foster their overall sense of well-being.

Since UC is an illness that lives on the inside, friends may also have difficulty understanding why someone living with UC is unable to participate in social activities, as they look quite healthy. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) offers the following suggestions to help maintain friendships and once again enjoy social activities:

Keep in touch

• Friends may avoid contact because they don’t know what to say or are afraid of saying the wrong thing. Consider taking the initiative in reaching out to friends.

Educate friends

• Sharing educational websites or brochures with friends can help them learn more. Consider inviting closest friends to support group meetings to get a better idea of what it is like to live with UC.

Pursue interests

• Close to half of the people surveyed for Voices of UC reported that the disease was most limiting in their ability to eat what they want, engage in certain physical activities, and plan vacations and weekend trips. It is important to make time for activities that do not revolve around UC. Although UC may limit ability to participate in certain activities, there are definitely social activities that someone living with UC can do.

Meet others with UC

• Contacting other people with UC through advocacy organization support groups may be helpful, as it will provide an opportunity to discuss symptoms and issues with those facing similar situations.