Coping With Anxiety Depression and Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells that can spread throughout the body. This dreaded disease produces a significant amount of psychological uneasiness in cancer patients and can lead to prolonged anxiety and depression.
Anyone who has received the dreaded diagnosis of cancer realizes that surviving cancer involves much more than killing cancer cells and somehow finding the strength to get through all the treatments. There are the emotional, social, and daunting financial pressures that come with the disease as well.
Clinical studies have established that the distress experienced during cancer treatment and the challenges with making adjustments in their lives places a heavy load of anxiety on cancer patients that can quite easily turn into depression is left untreated.
The anxiety and depression in people who have been diagnosed with cancer, stems for the uncertainties and fears which have become as much a part of their daily lives as the cancer itself. Contrary to popular belief, those fighting the tough battle against advanced stage cancer experience anxiety and depression not because of the fear of death but because of the fear of being left alone, the fear of uncontrolled pain, the fear of dependency on others, and the fear of the financial burden they will leave behind.
Few would argue that a diagnosis of cancer can turn a person's world upside down in a matter of seconds. That said, some of the anxiety that goes hand in hand with cancer can be alleviated with treatment. Clinical psychologists believe that providing relief from anxiety should start with providing the cancer patient with realistic and proven information about the disease and the treatment that will be needed. The vast majority of cancer patients go through a phase of intense anger and helplessness. They may feel life has dealt them a low blow without warning. The only way to diffuse this anger is to redirect it toward positive action such as seeking adequate and appropriate help.
Another challenge which is responsible for a great deal of anxiety and/or depression in cancer patients is when the family or immediate support group turns negative or becomes overly frightened of what is to come. In these cases a cancer support group can help by providing avenues to talking about the condition and learn more about how others have dealt with the pressures that go hand in hand with living with cancer.
Even those who may have been lucky enough to gain an early diagnosis and have been successful with treatment may suffer from anxiety and depression due to thoughts of relapse that seem to always be lurking somewhere between their subconscious and conscious minds. While it is true that a small percentage of cancer survivors are able to grow out of the shadow of anxiety riddled worry, there are many others who may be regularly tormented by the thought.
This type of anxiety only becomes worse when a follow-up visits to the doctor reveals cancer has reappeared. Anyone in this situation needs to dig deep to develop a positive mental attitude, find ways and means to relax and most importantly talk to others about what you are feeling.
Whether you have just been diagnosed, are in the middle of treatment, have had cancer reappear, or are dealing with the realization that cancer could reappear any day for some the steps above simply may not be enough.
If this describes you herbal or homeopathic remedies for anxiety may provide a life-line for you to hold onto until things get better.
The advantage of natural remedies over harsh prescription medications is they are not habit forming, are free from side effects, and can be used as a complimentary addition to non-prescription treatments if needed.
Anyone who has received the dreaded diagnosis of cancer realizes that surviving cancer involves much more than killing cancer cells and somehow finding the strength to get through all the treatments. There are the emotional, social, and daunting financial pressures that come with the disease as well.
Clinical studies have established that the distress experienced during cancer treatment and the challenges with making adjustments in their lives places a heavy load of anxiety on cancer patients that can quite easily turn into depression is left untreated.
The anxiety and depression in people who have been diagnosed with cancer, stems for the uncertainties and fears which have become as much a part of their daily lives as the cancer itself. Contrary to popular belief, those fighting the tough battle against advanced stage cancer experience anxiety and depression not because of the fear of death but because of the fear of being left alone, the fear of uncontrolled pain, the fear of dependency on others, and the fear of the financial burden they will leave behind.
Few would argue that a diagnosis of cancer can turn a person's world upside down in a matter of seconds. That said, some of the anxiety that goes hand in hand with cancer can be alleviated with treatment. Clinical psychologists believe that providing relief from anxiety should start with providing the cancer patient with realistic and proven information about the disease and the treatment that will be needed. The vast majority of cancer patients go through a phase of intense anger and helplessness. They may feel life has dealt them a low blow without warning. The only way to diffuse this anger is to redirect it toward positive action such as seeking adequate and appropriate help.
Another challenge which is responsible for a great deal of anxiety and/or depression in cancer patients is when the family or immediate support group turns negative or becomes overly frightened of what is to come. In these cases a cancer support group can help by providing avenues to talking about the condition and learn more about how others have dealt with the pressures that go hand in hand with living with cancer.
Even those who may have been lucky enough to gain an early diagnosis and have been successful with treatment may suffer from anxiety and depression due to thoughts of relapse that seem to always be lurking somewhere between their subconscious and conscious minds. While it is true that a small percentage of cancer survivors are able to grow out of the shadow of anxiety riddled worry, there are many others who may be regularly tormented by the thought.
This type of anxiety only becomes worse when a follow-up visits to the doctor reveals cancer has reappeared. Anyone in this situation needs to dig deep to develop a positive mental attitude, find ways and means to relax and most importantly talk to others about what you are feeling.
Whether you have just been diagnosed, are in the middle of treatment, have had cancer reappear, or are dealing with the realization that cancer could reappear any day for some the steps above simply may not be enough.
If this describes you herbal or homeopathic remedies for anxiety may provide a life-line for you to hold onto until things get better.
The advantage of natural remedies over harsh prescription medications is they are not habit forming, are free from side effects, and can be used as a complimentary addition to non-prescription treatments if needed.
