Why You Should Be Open With Your Crohn's Diagnosis

I know, I know. This can be kind of an annoying topic, especially for those of you who are introverted and private by nature. But! I just want to share from my personal experience, how being open with my Crohn's diagnosis, proved to be one of the most healing things I did. I wish I would have done it sooner...

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2011 and I didn't tell a soul.

I am naturally a private person. I don't share much on social media. I don't like people to know my business and I've always had a small, close circle of friends. This is simply, me.

I finally decided to talk about my Crohn's diagnosis

But after years of living with my diagnosis, and to put it quite simply, going through hell, I changed my mind.

One day it occurred to me that I needed to tell people. That suffering in this sort of secrecy was only putting more stress on me and affecting my health negatively. Why is it so horrible for people to know I have Crohn's? It’s really not that big of a deal.

So with time, I slowly began to open up and feel more comfortable letting others know about my diagnosis. If I made plans to meet someone and had to unexpectedly cancel due to my health, I wouldn't lie and come up with a different excuse like I would in the past. I would simply say that I am not doing well, and I'm having a bad day due to Crohn's. Phew! Friends and family are so understanding. It's amazing the support I would always receive once people knew.

And as I became more comfortable talking about Crohn's with my inner circle, I decided to reach out to others through social media. I began to follow Crohn's support groups on Instagram and Facebook. It was so nice to meet others going through the same struggles I was.

No longer alone in my battle against Crohn's

With time, a weight began to lift off my shoulders. I didn’t feel alone anymore, because I was opening myself up for others to reach out to me and in turn, it was offering me amazing therapeutic benefits.

Recently, I began a blog (thedancingcrohnie.com) and it became an amazing platform to connect with others suffering from IBD. What a thrilling and healing experience it has been for me. I get emails and private messages all the time from readers who are inspired and thankful that I share and offer help for those suffering from IBD.

And it all finally clicked.

Talking and sharing is part of the healing process

Without one another, we are nothing. If we close ourselves in and remain silent and alone, that is precisely how we will remain. Part of healing is mental and spiritual. If you don't reach out to others and talk and share, well, you miss out on an integral part of the healing process. And not only that, you skip out on the chance of helping someone else.

So, I encourage you to share. I encourage you to open up. You don't have to wear an "I have Crohn's" t-shirt and tell every person that passes you by, but you certainly shouldn't lie anymore if someone notices you struggling.

So, open up. I promise you will be so glad you did.

How open are you with your diagnosis? Do you share much? Share below, we love to hear from you!