Friday 6 February 2015

Cancer and Anxiety

There are so many emotions that come along with a cancer diagnosis. Obviously someone who has been diagnosed with cancer feels scared of what is to come and overwhelmed with all the information coming at them all at once. As time moves on and a treatment plan is put in place and implemented, you will find that you are firmly on your journey as a reluctant cancer patient. The dust settles a little bit and you do what you need to do on a daily basis including treatments and trying to say in your routine as much as possible. So why do you still feel so anxious?

Anxiety is often as much a part of cancer treatment as anything else. There is a huge mental component of battling cancer and people will often find themselves depressed and/or anxious throughout the process - not just in the beginning when the diagnosis is still so new. Of course these are all normal feelings and definitely to be expected. But if anxiety begins to interfere with your day-to-day life, then it’s time to consult your doctor.

Some of the signs that your anxiety may need to be medically addressed include:

•    Trouble sleeping. You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up in the morning. Also, if you can’t stop sleeping then it may be due to depression rather than fatigue.

•    Eating issues. If you struggling with eating and it’s not due to the nausea associated with your treatment, then it may be anxiety induced.

•    Emotions those are hard to keep in check. Crying all the time, feeling fear throughout the day, anger, and more are all a part of cancer. But if they are interfering with your life, your work, or your relationships, it may be time to seek out help.

•    Lack of desire for activities that once brought you joy. If you are feeling joyless, hopeless, or without any passion for doing anything that would otherwise make you happy, then it may be time to talk to someone.

Anxiety is normal but if you are finding it difficult to get through the day, then there is help available. Talk to your doctor about the options available; there are many that will allow you to feel more comfortable.

Click here to know about a cancer center that can provide finest cancer care and will provide answers for all your doubts and troubles.