brothers, sisters, IBD and emotional wellbeing
If your brother or sister has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you already know that it affects the whole family. It can get in the way of days out, holidays and day-to-day life.
It is hard to know how you can help your siblings and parents or carers to manage the illness, while keeping up with your own schoolwork, hobbies and friends. At the same time, it can be tough to talk about it.
It is perfectly normal for this to affect the way you feel – even if you don’t want it to. Lots of people who have a sibling with a condition like IBD sometimes feel low, angry, jealous, lonely or guilty.
Remember, you are not the only one who feels this way. Many people who have brothers and sisters with IBD go through the same things and have the same emotions.
practical help
The good news is there are lots of things you can do to look after yourself and your feelings.
The CICRA emotional wellbeing kit will help you understand and talk about how you are feeling. You will find information, activities and tips on how to cope from other people in the same situation as you.
Always remember that asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. It shows you are brave enough to face your feelings and do things to help yourself.
Of course, not everything you go through will be because of your brother or sister’s IBD – but some things might. This kit will help you understand when their condition may be affecting how you feel. Because no one’s life should be limited by IBD.
My nine-year-old daughter sometimes gets angry and blames her brother. For example, she will say things like ‘it is his fault for being ill because it is his body’. I know this is said in anger and she probably knows that it isn’t true deep down.
emotional wellbeing kit for siblings
Our emotional wellbeing kit has different sections. You may want to just focus on one or you may want to have the full pack. Whatever you choose, the info sheets have links to additional resources, from CICRA and from other respected organisations. The packs have been prepared with input from others in similar situations, and expert clinical psychologists.
- family interactions (PDF)
- talking about it (PDF)
- taking control (PDF)
download the emotional wellbeing kit for siblings
Download the full emotional wellbeing kit for brothers or sisters of young people with IBD as one PDF file including sections on family interactions, talking about it and taking control.
CICRA emotional wellbeing kit for siblings (PDF)