Coping Skills Plus Medication for Newly Diagnosed Crohn's Disease

CATHARSIS is a research study testing whether combining psychological coping skills training with biologic medications (like adalimumab, infliximab, certolizumab, risankizumab, guselkumab, or mirikizumab) helps people with active Crohn's disease recover faster and feel better overall. The study recognizes that many people with Crohn's experience depression, anxiety, and stress alongside their physical symptoms — even when their disease appears controlled — and tests whether learning resilience and stress-management skills when starting the medication can make a real difference.

Many people with Crohn's disease struggle with depression, anxiety, and stress that continue even when their physical symptoms are under control. Research suggests that stress can trigger disease flares, and that learning effective coping skills early — right when starting the new medication — might help people heal better and improve their quality of life.