People respond differently to surgery. There is no one "normal" or "best" response. In general, people who have had a longer course of illness (say for many years) are more likely to appreciate the relief of symptoms that comes with surgery. This relief may outweigh worries about having an ileostomy and requiring another operation, making the adjustment easier. People who respond with anxiety and depression are often people who have had a relatively short course of aggressive illness, and have never had an opportunity to adjust to being sick, let alone to come to terms with surgical treatment. People with a short but aggressive illness are often comparing the result of surgery to what life was like when they were healthy, and feeling discouraged that their situation has changed.

Of course, other factors also contribute to how an individual perceives changes after surgery. People whose self-image is more reliant on physical appearance may be more prone to concern. Having or not having a committed partner has an important effect on coping. The amount of education available for surgery, which may allow for more realistic expectations, may also have an influence.

In general, most people experience some anxiety about looking after an ileostomy, about what others will think, about who to tell and so on. Much less common, some people experience problems with anxiety or depression that should be treated medically in order to relieve the distress. If the anxiety you feel is interfering with your ability to function at your usual tasks, if you are feeling suicidal, or if the anxiety and depression are interfering greatly with your relationships with others, then it would be wise to speak to your doctor about it.

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