ODNOS UMA I TIJELA KOD OBOLJELIH OD ULCEROZNOG KOLITISA / THE RELATIONSHIP OF MIND AND BODY IN PATIENTS WITH ULCEROSE COLITIS

KVALITATIVNO ISTRAŽIVANJE / QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UK) is one of the chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown cause, affecting the gastrointestinal tract. With regard to the clinical picture, episodes of bloody-mucous diarrhea can be characterized, which may last from several days, weeks, or months, when they cease, to recur after an asymptomatic period, which may last for months or years. The aim of this study was to examine how patients cope with symptoms, what their quality of life is, and how the mind-body connection affects their symptoms and the onset of the disease. Six people were interviewed. According to the testimonies of the participants, the UK had a significant impact on reducing their quality of life, while social support from their loved ones and adequate coping style were very supportive for their healing. In addition, all participants believed that stress was the cause of their condition. Although research indicates that neuroticism, perfectionism, and alexithymia are more common in UK patients than in the general population, our participants did not consider them to have pronounced personality traits. According to the results of our research, we can conclude that the UK in many ways affects the quality of life of the sick and that the connection between mind and body, which is often at the heart of the disease, is evident.