Tag Archives: Crohn’s disease

Powerful Ways Art Can Help Us Heal from Trauma Featuring Daniel Leighton — About IBD Podcast Episode 185

Powerful Ways Art Can Help Us Heal from Trauma Featuring Daniel Leighton — About IBD Podcast Episode 185

Amber interviews artist Daniel Leighton, who shares his journey living with Crohn’s disease from childhood. Daniel tells us how he didn’t think of himself as an artist, but painting became a vital tool for expressing emotions and coping with complex PTSD related to chronic illness. He offers some advice for those intimidated by starting a journey into creativity and describes how art validates the experiences of people with chronic illness. Daniel’s artwork, inspired by his medical journey, helps others with IBD feel seen and less alone, highlighting the role of art in emotional healing and community connection.



This episode contains a discussion of medical trauma and complex PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), so please take care when listening. Check the show notes for a description and time stamps, in case you want to skip certain sections.

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This Is Why People With IBD Need Strong Communities

This Is Why People With IBD Need Strong Communities

Living with a chronic illness like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is isolating. Not only are there stigmatizing physical symptoms, but there’s an emotional toll. It’s challenging for patients to find understanding and support in their everyday lives.

In episode 184 of About IBD, I sat down with Crohn’s patient and advocate Aaron Blocker to talk about the role of online community. Aaron shares his journey in building an online support group for people with IBD, including the successes and the frustrations.

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How to Understand the Basics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

How to Understand the Basics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex, chronic condition affecting millions of people. Even though IBD is now a worldwide disease, misconceptions and confusion about diagnosis, management, and treatment. In a recent episode of the About IBD podcast, Amber Tresca and Dr. Katie Dunleavy, a Boston-based gastroenterologist and IBD specialist, talked over the basics of IBD.

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Unlocking the Secrets to Stress Management - About IBD Podcast Episode 182 - Jin Lee, PhD

Unlocking the Secrets to Stress Management – About IBD Podcast Episode 182

Stress is a huge problem for people who live with immune-mediated conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. The condition causes tension in all the parts of our lives. We can’t get rid of it, so we need to find ways to either minimize it or manage it. I talk to Dr. Jin Lee, neuropsychologist and CEO of IMIdeology, about managing stress while living with chronic inflammatory diseases like IBD and lupus. We discuss the impact of chronic stress on health, the challenges of fragmented care, and the benefits of a multidisciplinary, holistic approach. Dr. Lee shares practical, easy-to-implement stress management tips that you can do even when sitting at a stoplight! Plus, we tell you about the upcoming “Bridging Autoimmunity: Patient Forum” taking place on September 13th in Dobbs Ferry, NY. You’ll come away from this episode understanding how integrated care, community support, and small daily habits can improve quality of life with chronic illness.



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How Storytelling Fosters Compassion for Kids with Chronic Illness - About IBD Podcast Episode 181

How Storytelling Fosters Compassion for Kids with Chronic Illness – About IBD Podcast Episode 181

A children’s book leads to this conversation, which bridges the worlds of chronic illness, creativity, and connection. I talk with MB (Britt) Mooney, author of “The Mouse Who Couldn’t Eat Cheese,” a children’s book inspired by a young woman named Alex who lived with severe Crohn’s disease. MB, a science fiction and fantasy author, stepped outside his usual genre to create a story that helps kids and families understand invisible illnesses and the power of friendship. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insight on MB’s creative process, the lessons learned from working with Alex’s family, and the message he hopes every reader takes away—whether they live with inflammatory bowel disease or not.



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Mental Health and IBD: Expert Advice and Strategies

Mental Health and IBD: Expert Advice and Strategies

Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex journey that extends beyond physical symptoms. IBD affects us as whole people, not just digestive systems.

On The Mind-Body Connection in IBS and IBD Featuring Ali Navidi, PsyD – About IBD Podcast Episode 178, Dr. Ali Navidi, a gastropsychologist and co-founder of GI Psychology, discusses the often-overlooked mental health challenges that come with an IBD diagnosis. Patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals will all come away with a deeper understanding of the gut-brain connection and practical strategies for holistic care.

This blog post covers some of the themes and expert advice from the episode, offering in-depth guidance and actionable tips for managing the mental health aspects of IBD.

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The Mind-Body Connection in IBS and IBD Featuring Ali Navidi, PsyD – About IBD Podcast Episode 178

Amber interviews Dr. Ali Navidi, a gastropsychologist specializing in mental health for people with gastrointestinal disorders. They discuss the importance of addressing mental health alongside conditions like IBD and IBS, highlighting the stigma surrounding these issues. Dr. Navidi explains cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnosis, emphasizing their effectiveness in managing symptoms. He also shares insights on the challenges of accessing mental health care and introduces a new therapeutic group program for IBD patients developed in collaboration with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, aimed at making treatment more accessible and affordable.

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Better Health With Breathwork for IBD Featuring Elizabeth Coldrick of Wildly Brave Wellness - About IBD Podcast Episode 177

Better Health With Breathwork for IBD Featuring Elizabeth Coldrick of Wildly Brave Wellness – About IBD Podcast Episode 177

Elizabeth Coldrick, a nutritional therapist and breathwork facilitator living with IBD and a permanent ostomy shares her experiences living in Bali, the challenges and benefits of managing IBD abroad, and the importance of nutrition and breathwork for mental and physical health. She explains how breathwork can reduce stress and inflammation, offers a simple breathing exercise, and discusses her new nutrition e-book for people with ostomies. The episode highlights self-care, community, and practical strategies for living well with IBD.

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Getting Outdoors With IBD Featuring Jonathan Stewart of EverGreen Adventures - About IBD Podcast Episode 176

Getting Outdoors With IBD Featuring Jonathan Stewart of EverGreen Adventures – About IBD Podcast Episode 176

Jonathan Stewart, co-founder of Evergreen Adventures, a nonprofit focused on connecting the chronic illness community with outdoor activities, shares his journey with type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and sarcoidosis. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of staying active despite health challenges, describes the need for planning outdoor adventures, and encourages everyone to find joy in nature, no matter the circumstances.

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Coping With the Emotional Impacts of IBD

Coping With the Emotional Impacts of IBD

After being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, Victoria felt isolated and overwhelmed. She turned to social media to connect with the IBD community.

That led her to work with others in the IBD community to create #GetYourBellyOut. Their goal was to make some noise and get attention for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis outside of the GI community.

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