Getting Through Major Milestones With Crohn’s

Keep in mind that you don’t have to disclose everything about your health from the get-go. Just like any interviewee, focus on your skillset and what you bring to the table. And remember that finding a new job is a two-way street: “Get a feel for whether this company is a supportive environment for you,” says Megan Riehl, Psy.D., clinical health psychologist and assistant professor in gastroenterology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Questions Riehl says to consider asking during the interview include, “Is there flexibility for time off...or flexibility to work from home?”

“即使你的症状受到良好控制，也很焦虑是正常的，”Riehl说。“如果你有症状，请务必带来让你感到舒服的东西。”用擦拭巾，清洁套件，免疫原和办公室，书桌或储物柜的衣服的变化藏。

别忘了照顾好自己。“获得足够的营养和休息，并在上班前后的时间表，在激烈的训练和雨中，在第一个星期内的快乐时刻检查快乐时刻，真正了解你在开始新工作时你在身体和情感上的位置，”建议Hyne。

Having this医疗程序for the first time may be stressful, but remind yourself that it’s worth it. During the non-surgical procedure a camera passes through your mouth and throat to examine your digestive tract. “Nobody jumps for joy at the thought of an endoscopy, and it might be a bit uncomfortable—but it’s another step toward getting you better and getting you answers,” says Riehl. She suggests asking your doctors lots of questions beforehand, so you feel prepared and less anxious about what to expect. Then go easy on yourself. “Don’t plan to be doing much that day,” Riehl says. “Just make yourself as comfortable as you can.”

Make sure to check out the menu before you go—or get takeout—and have a few options in mind of dishes you might like and are able to eat. Once you’re there, alert your server if you have allergies or restrictions so you can feel more confident once the food arrives. Hyne recommends creating healthy boundaries and practicing asserting them. Tell the friends, family, or coworkers you’re dining with upfront that you’re looking forward to dinner but can’t stay out for drinks afterward or tell them beforehand that you’ll need to leave by a certain time. “Boundaries can help you enjoy the experience without overexerting yourself,” she says.

Most people don’t offer up a deep dive into all their personal details on a first date, and you don’t have to either. But telling your date that you have a digestive condition and have to be careful about what you eat may help you feel more at ease. Recommending a restaurant or other destination where you know you’ll be comfortable is another smart step, says Riehl. “Don’t forget: If the person is worth your time, they’ll be understanding and compassionate about your condition.”

A little openness goes a long way. If you have具体的饮食要求,告诉主持人或提供带special dish yourself. If you’re not feeling well the night of the party, don’t be afraid to be honest, says Riehl. “Sometimes you can’t control things with your health, and that’s okay,” she says. “Ask if you can adjust plans, or just call it a night early if you’re really suffering with fatigue. Allow yourself the flexibility and try not to let yourself feel guilty.”

旅行，即使是长距离，也可以完全舒适，如果你做了一点额外的准备。Riehl说，如果您需要与您带来Meds，请与您的胃肠学家讨论如何在飞机上进行适当地将它们带入飞机上。或者如果您正在开车，请给自己休息和停止的时间，如果您关注肠事故，请带上紧急套件。

Try to avoid catastrophic thinking, suggests Hyne; remind yourself that even if your worst-case scenario occurs, you are capable of problem solving in the moment. She recommends calming your nervous system with deep breathing, which can also help prevent exacerbation of Crohn’s symptoms.

Riehl说，无论他们的医疗状况如何，每个人都有怪癖和行李，他们带来了浪漫关系。“这将是您必须向合作伙伴介绍的事情之一。试着开放和诚实而不是隐藏症状 - 你可能会发现你的伴侣对他们如何支持你感兴趣。“

If you’re still struggling with your diagnosis and how to communicate your condition with others, Riehl recommends working with aGI psychologist，谁可以帮助您通过您的关系工作，并为您的伴侣提供有关如何支持的建议。

“You want to feel safe in your living space, especially if you need to use the bathroom—which is often a shared space—frequently,” says Hyne. She suggests coming up with an elevator pitch about your condition and getting comfortable saying it, then talking openly with your roommate about what Crohn’s disease is and what facts you want him or her to know. “By being upfront, you can help your roommate understand what to expect, prevent assumptions from being made, and receive support when needed or in an emergency,” she explains.