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Working Life: I wouldn't advise people to turn away from stress. I'd say, ‘Turn to meaning'

Dr Jennifer Wilson O'Raghallaigh, principal clinical psychologist in liaison psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital 'As a psychologist, I look at the emotional impact of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Managing uncertainty is one of the real challenges for people with IBD. Inflammation can strike anywhere along the digestive tract and you can suddenly have a flare-up. 'Most healthy people can get on with their lives and believe in the myth that we are in control of our bodies. Those with IBD have to manage it, but they can't control it and that's the sting in the tail. 'One of the challenges of this chronic condition is that it can become worse with stress. But asking people why they aren't managing their stress better can be unhelpful. People with stressful lives often have meaningful lives. If we give up the things that are meaningful, our lives can become very small. I wouldn't advise people to turn away from stress. I would say, 'Turn towards meaning'. Rather than leaving stressful things behind, can you pick up things that benefit your health? 'IBD is a complicated picture. By the time I see people, they're often dealing with the shock of a chronic disease diagnosis. They're asking, 'How do I cope with this? How do I leave my house if I can't control my body?' Dr Jennifer Wilson O'Raghallaigh, psychologist: 'I'm lucky to have partnered with CCI for 15 years, and I'm taking part in their awareness campaign in the lead-up to World IBD Day on May 19." Picture: Moya Nolan. 'My job is to help them adjust, help them face the reality of an imperfect body, and see if there is something else — like depression — going on besides the adjustment to Crohn's or colitis. 'I'm lucky to have partnered with CCI for 15 years, and I'm taking part in their awareness campaign in the lead-up to World IBD Day on May 19. 'I'm a panellist on its webinar on the day, about Gut to Know, a communication guide. 'When I'm not working, I concentrate on my Irish-speaking, GAA-playing, trad-music-loving kids — not something I envisaged, as I'm originally from Virginia in the US, and only planned to spend one scholarship year at Trinity. 'In my spare time, I enjoy writing. I had a novel published last October, called Mandatory Reporting: A Dublin Mystery. It's about a psychologist, but not me.' Marking World IBD Day, Crohn's and Colitis Ireland will host a webinar, IBD 101, on Monday, May 19, from 6.30-8.30pm. Details and free registration at