Powerful Ways Art Can Help Us Heal from Trauma Featuring Daniel Leighton

Amber interviews artist Daniel Leighton, who shares his journey living with Crohn's disease from childhood. Daniel tells us how he didn't think of himself as an artist, but painting became a vital tool for expressing emotions and coping with complex PTSD related to chronic illness. He offers some advice for those intimidated by starting a journey into creativity and describes how art validates the experiences of people with chronic illness. Daniel's artwork, inspired by his medical journey, helps others with IBD feel seen and less alone, highlighting the role of art in emotional healing and community connection.

This episode contains a discussion of medical trauma and complex PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), so please take care when listening. Check the show notes for a description and time stamps, in case you want to skip certain sections.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD185

Chapters:

• 00:01 Intro & Content Warning
• 2:40 Daniel’s IBD Journey & Surgeries
• 5:15 Early J-Pouch Surgery
• 6:24 Discovering Art as an Outlet
• 11:24 Art for Processing Trauma
• 15:21 Getting Started with Art
• 17:23 Art, PTSD & Chronic Illness
• 18:43 Connecting to Cure
• 19:57 Evolution of Artwork
• 21:30 Depicting Pain in Art
• 22:39 Trying New Things
• 23:44 Specific Artworks & Meanings
• 29:24 First Surgery & Trauma
• 33:12 Evolving Trauma Over Time
• 34:22 Art as a Bridge
• 38:08 Medical Restraint Trauma
• 40:52 Power of Not Feeling Alone
• 42:15 Lessons Learned the Hard Way
• 43:56 “Here Comes the Flood”
• 46:49 Self-Compassion & Healing Timelines
• 47:55 Ballroom Dancing & New Experiences
• 50:38 Where to Find Daniel’s Art
• 51:44 Closing & Credits

Topics discussed on this episode:

• The role of art as an outlet for expressing emotions related to living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Personal experiences of living with Crohn's disease, including diagnosis and surgeries.
• The therapeutic benefits of using art to process trauma and cope with chronic illness.
• Practical advice for using art as a form of emotional expression, regardless of artistic skill level.
• The importance of self-compassion and recognizing individual healing timelines.
• The impact of trauma on emotional expression and the need for safe spaces to feel emotions.
• The evolution of personal artwork and its connection to experiences with IBD.
• Encouragement to embrace intimidating activities as a means of personal growth and healing.
• The significance of creating visual representations of emotions, such as "pain charts."
• The importance of community and connection in the journey of living with chronic illness.

Links to information mentioned in this episode:

• Miller-Ocuin JL, Dietz DW. The Evolution of Pelvic Pouch Surgery: Optimal Pouch Design for an Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2022;35(6):453-457. doi:10.1055/s-0042-1758135.
• Morgan Check, NP: @morgancheckgastronp
• Taft TH, Bedell A, Craven MR, Guadagnoli L, Quinton S, Hanauer SB. Initial Assessment of Post-traumatic Stress in a US Cohort of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2019;25(9):1577-1585. doi:10.1093/ibd/izz032.
• Gomez DA, Ahmad-Waqar M, Brookes MJ, Kumar A. IBD-related mental health disorders: where do we go from here? Frontline Gastroenterol. 2023;14(6):512-520. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2023-102403.

Find Daniel Leighton at:

• Facebook: @DanielLeightonArt
• Instagram: @DanielLeightonArt
• Substack: @danielleightonart
• Artwork: https://danielleighton.com/art-inspired-by-living-with-crohns-disease-ulcerative-colitis-a-deep-dive-into-personal-experiences/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdxRCTh6aPaaEgX07agRsFg