Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with cancer? A cancer diagnosis can bring up so many emotions, yet three stand out when it comes to managing this difficult condition.
The first emotion that stands out when struggling with cancer? Anxiety with a capital “A”. There are many questions that arise when facing a cancer diagnosis. You may worry about what to do regarding your treatment or whether the cancer is spreading. There is even a term for the fear that goes along with medical imaging and what kind of result there will be: “scanxiety.”
Another emotion that goes along with cancer is depression. It is estimated that between 15-25% of people who have cancer struggle with depression. This can be due to several reasons:
- Worry about one’s future.
- A changing view of yourself.
- Treatment side effects.
It should be noted that depression can occur with not just the cancer patient, but also their friends and family members too. Also, that sadness is not always a symptom of depression. It can often manifest itself in mood swings, feeling empty inside, or believing that you are worthless.
The third emotion to watch out for when dealing with cancer is grief. Grief occurs because the patient, as well as those close to them, must face the fact that they could die. This fosters other emotions such as anger, helplessness, and denial.
The best thing to do for your mental health when undergoing cancer treatment is to get professional help from a mental health counselor or therapist. Medication can also help with depression. Additionally, remember to get support from others so that you don’t have to face this alone.
Want to learn more about how cancer has an effect on your emotions? You can read the full post here: 3 Ways Cancer Can Impact Someone’s Mental Health.
