THE ILLNESS PERCEPTION IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY INTESTINAL DISEASES

Abstract

The course and treatment of various diseases is influenced by such psychological factors as the perception of the illness and self-efficacy in overcoming the disease. Currently, there is an increase in the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in people of young working age. Along with this, there is a lack of awareness about the perception of patients with IBD of their illness, which in turn may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment provided. The 2021 Clinical Guidelines developed by the Russian Gastroenterological Association mention not only drug treatment, but also psychotherapeutic effects. In this connection, the need to improve the psychological diagnosis and treatment process of patients with IBD is explained. In the course of the study, a comparative analysis of the components of the perception of the illness and self-efficacy in overcoming the disease among patients who perceive their disease as a severe and moderate threat was carried out. The results obtained indicate the need for an integrated approach in accompanying patients with IBD, including both individual psychological counseling and protocols for group psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at correcting the negative perception of the disease, subclinical and clinical levels of anxiety, increasing self-efficacy in relation to overcoming the disease and treatment.