Pictorial expression of ulcerative colitis

The most prevalent emotional characteristics of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis illustrated in pictures spontaneously drawn by a young patient while hospitalized. With the onset of the illness, the pathological content of the drawings surfaced. Using anthropomorphism of animals, the patient was able to identify with the story book characters and reveal the problems of her own inner world and masked depression, which she was not able to express otherwise. Although she viewed herself at the center of the world, innocent and sensitive, she felt inferior and estranged from society. In defense, she withdraw from the hostile world and tried to hide self directed aggression.