Celiac Disease: Depression, Anxiety, Social Stigma, and Implications for Counselors

The National Institutes of Health estimate that up to 23.5 million Americans suffer from autoimmune disease and that prevalence is rising (National Institutes of Health, 2014). One type of autoimmune disorder is called celiac disease. It affects the gastrointestinal tract of those diagnosed. Celiac patients often show an increased level of psychological distress initially after diagnosis and during transition into a gluten-free lifestyle. Depression, social anxiety, and stigmatization often accompany diagnosis and need to be addressed by the medical and psychological community. The author’s personal account of being diagnosed with celiac is provided to give an in-depth look into the transition to a gluten-free lifestyle. Counselors will gain awareness into this type of disease, how it affects many populations, and treatment ideas to use with clients who have been diagnosed.