Using Community Drama Therapy to Support Adults with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Molly Weinberg

Abstract

This master’s thesis explores a drama therapy community engagement project, conducted in February 2020, intended to serve a population of chronically ill adults. Specifically, it was implemented for those who have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a combined term for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, autoimmune diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s and colitis can cause debilitating symptoms; some of which include pain, frequent diarrhea, and vomiting, while also affecting other organs in the body (Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, 2014, p. 9). The chaos of having a chronic illness can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions (Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, 2014). Community drama therapy offers an embodied, playful form of support to help bring humor, self-expression, and relationship-building to ease the isolation of having a personal and often embarrassing illness.