The most common inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The impaired digestive system function due to ulceration or other GI tract epithelium dysfunctions causes unpleasant symptoms that can affect patients’ emotional state. The present paper contains a review of the latest empirical findings and literature about the correlations between people's emotional states and their experience of living with a disease. Patients’ responses to health problems are described. High neuroticism, low self-esteem and negative perception of reality increase the risk of depression in somatic diseases and inhibit the healing process. Individuals with a more positive attitude towards fighting their disease, motivated and hopeful with respect to prognosis and recovery achieve better outcomes.

Key words: ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), emotional states.