Do People With Crohn’s Disease Have an Increased Suicide Risk?

Why Do People With Crohn’s Disease Have a Higher Risk of Suicide?

The stress of managing debilitating and often invisible symptoms like pain, urgent diarrhea, and fatigue can lead to feelings of hopelessness and a diminished quality of life, Dr. Parian says.

• Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, which occur more frequently in people with IBD
• Severe symptoms, hospitalization, and surgery
• Crohn’s diagnosis in childhood
• Being female
• Insomnia, which also increases risk for depression and anxiety

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Treatment can also play a role, says Parian. “Some biologic medications may have an association with depression and suicide risk.” Parian encourages open conversations with your provider to choose the best medication for your overall health, considering both physical and mental well-being.

Warning Signs of Suicidal Thoughts Among People With Crohn’s Disease

• Talking about being a burden or wanting to die
• Feeling hopeless, trapped, or empty
• Severe emotional or physical pain
• Extreme sadness, anxiety, agitation, or anger
• Researching ways to die
• Withdrawing from relationships or saying goodbye to friends and family without a logical reason for doing so
• Giving away treasured possessions
• Increased risky behavior, like driving fast or using more drugs or alcohol
• Intense mood swings
• A sharp increase or decrease in eating or sleeping

“However, there can be disease-specific triggers that it is important for patients, their families, and their doctors, to know about,” says Dr. Hurd.

When Crohn’s symptoms get severe, you may catch yourself saying things like, "I can't live like this anymore" or "I don't see how I can keep going through this," says Dr. Brandon, who has Crohn’s disease herself. If this happens, it’s time to ask for help.

7 Ways to Manage Suicide Risk With Crohn’s Disease

1. Follow Your Crohn’s Treatment Plan

2. Talk With Your Care Team

Your provider should ask about your mental health at every visit, says Hurd. But if they don’t, you can take charge and tell them how you’re feeling.

“As a gastrointestinal psychiatrist, something that I see as the most important step is ensuring that mental health is treated as a coequal part of Crohn's disease management, not an afterthought,” says Brandon.

If you feel your treatment isn’t helping and inflammation is causing mental health symptoms for you, your gastroenterologist should be able to adjust your medication regimen. But don’t make any changes to your treatment without talking to your gastroenterologist first.

3. Ask for Professional Mental Health Support

“It is normal to feel sad and anxious while living with IBD and any chronic health condition, but if it’s impacting your quality of life and lasting for weeks [or longer], it matters to see a psychiatrist for diagnosis, therapy, and medications,” says Brandon.

4. Find a Support System

Brandon encourages her patients to participate as much as they can with peer support groups, like those offered by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, which has a directory of in-person and virtual options.

5. Create Healthy Exercise, Sleep, and Mindfulness Habits

How to Get Emergency Help for Suicidal Thoughts

• Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline any time of day or night.
• Text “HOME” to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Go to your nearest emergency room.
• Call 911.

If you don’t feel like you can take those steps yourself, call a close friend or family member and tell them how you’re feeling.

The Takeaway

• Living with Crohn’s disease can increase your risk of suicidal thoughts and completed suicide, but you can protect yourself with treatment and support.
• You can manage your mental health with Crohn’s disease by following your Crohn’s treatment plan, talking with your provider about how you feel, joining a support group, trying therapy, exercising, developing good sleep habits, and practicing mindfulness.
• If you have thoughts of suicide at any time, call or text 988, or call 911 for immediate help.

If you or a loved one is experiencing significant distress or having thoughts about suicide and needs support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. If you need immediate help, call 911.