Mental Health
Truth About Anxiety Among Cancer Patients
Amid cancer patients' battle with the condition, they also have to deal with anxiety and its many triggers that could affect their mental well-being.
While a cancer diagnosis alone can evoke fears of treatment, recurrence and mortality, the spectrum of anxiety symptoms extends beyond these primary concerns, according to experts.
Patients navigating their battle with cancer get confronted with a myriad of anxieties, including the fear of treatment-related side effects, changes to body image and the looming uncertainty of disease progression, Cancer.Net reported.
Moreover, concerns about losing independence, alterations in relationships and existential apprehensions add layers to their anxiety struggles.
Recognizing the multifaceted nature of anxiety, healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of open dialogue between patients and their care teams.
WebMD has listed questions doctors may pose to patients regarding their symptoms to help them understand and deal with their anxiety amid their cancer battle:
- Have you had any of the following symptoms since your cancer diagnosis or treatment?
- When do these symptoms occur, and how long do they last?
- Do you feel shaky, jittery, or nervous?
- Have you had to avoid certain places or activities because of fear?
- Have you felt your heart pounding or racing?
- Have you had trouble catching your breath when nervous?
- Have you had any unjustified sweating or trembling?
- Are you afraid to close your eyes at night for fear that you may die in your sleep?
- Do you worry about the next diagnostic test, or the results of it, weeks in advance?
- Have you suddenly had a fear of losing control or going crazy?
- Have you suddenly had a fear of dying?
- Do you worry often about when your pain will return and how bad it will get?
- Do you worry about whether you will be able to get your next dose of pain medication on time?
- Do you spend more time in bed than you should because you are afraid that the pain will intensify if you stand up or move about?
Using these questions during discussions helps patients articulate their fears, describe specific symptoms and provide tailored support and interventions.
Aside from open dialogue, other coping strategies available to help cancer patients deal with their fears and anxiety include mind-body techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, guided imagery, counseling, music therapy, and medication, among others.
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