support
groups
this list is being prepared!
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are two types of chronic illness for which support groups can be extremely beneficial. As anyone who has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) knows, talking about symptoms like chronic pain, weakness, diarrhea, and bleeding are not topics which are usually discussed at social functions. Few people can understand the anxiety associated with the need to be near a bathroom, which many support groups know can be extremely beneficial.
Obviously a support group serving the needs of people who have had surgery can be even more beneficial as support groups are about people helping each other to meet the daily challenges in their lives.
Fundamental premises of support groups are that mutual or self-help groups serve two purposes: first, people with common concerns can gain strength as a group by pooling their resources, and secondly, people with a common problem can gain individual strength by communicating with others who have successfully coped with certain aspects of a chronic illness. Penny Steiner-Grossman, author of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Bench to Bedside (Baltimore: William's and Wilkins), states "People in similar circumstances can give support and encouragement to each other, share coping strategies, release negative feelings such as anger and guilt, strengthen self esteem, and dispel social isolation."
Support groups known to us at this time.
..... list being assembled
try...
going into hospital