Getting an ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosis can be overwhelming, scary, and for some, embarrassing.

It’s important to be informed about the disease to have helpful and informed conversations with your doctor.

It can feel very lonely, but you’re far from alone. In fact, the online UC community is very active. Patient-to-patient support is one of the best ways to navigate living with UC.

Making connections with others who know the ropes will help you find your way and start to build your support network.

Below are some of the most helpful online resources for people living with UC.

People living with UC can often find themselves isolated in their homes, unable to leave. This is why the community is very active in online support groups.

These groups are great places to meet people with similar experiences. Members can share tips with each other on managing the condition.

Online

There are private online communities hosted by nonprofits. Only people living with UC can join these channels.

Facebook

There are groups for teens, parents, caregivers — anyone who could benefit from someone to talk with. Facebook is a popular place to find support for UC. Some groups have over 20,000 members!

One of the best ways to become a UC advocate is to participate in condition-specific awareness events. There are two well-known advocacy events for the IBD community:

People whose lives have been affected by IBD can get involved with these events to:

  • share their stories
  • educate the public
  • promote positivity

World IBD Day is particularly special because people from around the world unite to raise awareness by posting on social media and lighting up landmarks across the globe in purple.

If you’re interested in becoming a UC advocate, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation offers a helpful toolkit to help you get started.

A great starting point is reaching out to a nonprofit organization to learn more about getting involved with the UC community.

By participating in their events and fundraisers, you can connect with others and help spread the organization’s mission.

Supporting a UC-based nonprofit can also provide a sense of belonging and purpose after a new diagnosis.

Here are some top picks for UC organizations:

X, formerly known as Twitter, is a great tool for people living with chronic conditions because it allows them to connect and support each other.

X chats happen in many time zones and on different days of the week, so there are many opportunities to chime in on great conversations.

The UC community is very active on X. One of the best ways to create relationships with others is to participate in a UC or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) X chat.

To participate in one, log on to X and search any of the hashtags below. This will allow you to view previous chats, with details about who joined and the covered topics.

Here are some chats to check out:

  • #ulcerativecolitis
  • #IBD
  • #inflammatoryboweldisease
  • #IBDcommunity
  • #crohnsdisease
  • #colitis

Finding support for UC is easier now than ever. There are hundreds of patient blogs, online chats, and support groups to help people connect and learn from each other.

With so many ways to connect with others in your position, you’ll never have to be alone, and that is very powerful!

Having UC is far from a walk in the park. But with the help of these resources, you can “get out there” and make new friends to support you on your journey.

Jackie Zimmerman is a digital marketing consultant focusing on nonprofits and healthcare-related organizations. In a former life, she worked as a brand manager and communications specialist. But in 2018, she finally gave in and started working for herself at JackieZimmerman.co. Through her work on the site, she hopes to continue to work with great organizations and inspire patients. She began writing about living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and irritable bowel disease (IBD) shortly after her diagnosis as a way to connect with others. She never dreamed it would evolve into a career. Jackie has been working in advocacy for 12 years and has had the honor of representing the MS and IBD communities at various conferences, keynote speeches, and panel discussions. In her free time (what free time?!), she snuggles with her two rescue pups and her husband Adam. She also plays roller derby.