Facing the Storm: The Untold Story of Beating Anxiety and Depression While Battling Cancer!
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According to NCBI reports, it is clear that more than 10% of patients who have cancer are prone to depression. It is a stressful journey for cancer patients while fighting cancer. They undergo a lot of mood swings, anxiety, and depression in cancer. Many deal with pain during their chemotherapy and other cancer-related therapies. Many cancer survivors have battled cancer bravely. The process is extremely painful, yet they wear a smile, dealing with all emotions. This is possible through a few coping tips.
Learn about Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients
The cancer journey is filled with a lot of hope, courage, and strength for cancer patients. It gives physical and mental stress to patients. They go into depression in cancer while taking the treatment. Their lives are filled with medicines and treatments.
They are disturbed emotionally. If you have blood cancer, uterine cancer, or any other type of cancer, it is important to talk to counselors, psychologists, and your treating doctor. They can help you manage emotional stress effectively.
To deal with anxiety and depression, one should understand the type of stress the person is going through at the time of treatment.
Based on this, the coping strategies are designed. Undeniably, the most common emotional responses that can be expected from cancer patients are anxiety and depression. It is due to the fear of going to the hospital, fear of its recurrence in the future, or feeling low and tired. All of these make the person feel depressed soon.
Few will go through anxiety due to restlessness, less concentration, and irritation. Few will go into depression due to continuous thinking about their worst condition while others of their age are enjoying life. They are not interested in the activities they used to love earlier. They also have sleeping disorders, lose their appetite, and feel sad, always seeing their health condition.
While undergoing the treatment, they are isolated from others to avoid spreading infections. Due to this, they feel completely isolated and lonely. No one will be there to share their feelings and what they are going through. They also face difficulty interacting with people due to changes in appearance and energy levels.
When you Need Help to Fight Anxiety-related Issues Battling Cancer?
Following are some indicators that clearly state that you need the support of a medical practitioner or loved ones to deal with anxiety.
Emotions taking over your routine
If you are involved in some work, and suddenly you feel emotionally low, then it is high time for you to take guidance or embrace some healthy habits to overcome stress.
Withdraw yourself from social life
If interacting with people or taking part in social activities is not giving you any joy, then it could be due to the stress or anxiety issues from cancer. You can get help from professionals who guide you in leading a happy and emotionally balanced life.
How to Cope with Anxiety and Depression while Battling Cancer?
There are many strategies you can follow to balance yourself emotionally while dealing with cancer. Some of the following techniques, when followed, bring a positive change in your life and a ray of hope while overcoming anxiety and depression:
Perform meditation
The best approach to battle cancer and deal with anxiety and other emotional disorders is through regular meditation.
You do not have to spend money to learn meditation or buy equipment. You can do this at home whenever you are emotionally imbalanced. You have to acknowledge every thought you get. Doing mindful meditation will help you fight stress with ease.
Take the support of doctors and counsellors
Whenever you are low, you should not step back to approach the loved ones with whom you are comfortable to talk. Express what you are going through with them openly to reduce the burden in your mind and heart.
There are a lot of support groups to join. Talking to someone who has been in the same situation as you before will give you some comfort. It also gives you a big chance to learn how others have coped and what challenges they faced. It provides a new perspective on life.
Stay active always
When you sit idle and get lost in your thoughts, it will increase depression. So, it would help to keep yourself busy by getting involved in household tasks or fun activities. You can also do physical exercises to release endorphins naturally. These allow you to reduce stress and boost your quality of life.
You can also get good sleep after physical activity every day naturally and without taking medicine.
Perform relaxation techniques
Adding relaxation techniques to your daily routine, like breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques to calm your mind, is necessary. It helps you to stay healthy, happy, and away from distressfulness.
Embrace healthy lifestyle
Nothing can cure any disease, be it physical or mental health issues you are going through, than taking a good diet. Eating food rich in proteins and nutrients will keep you active and energetic all day. It also improves brain functioning and gives you enough sleep. A healthy lifestyle also rejuvenates you mentally and physically.
Conclusion
If any of your loved ones or yourself is fighting cancer, then you have to find some coping strategies to make yourself emotionally stable and happy. If you are happy, you can respond to the treatment quickly and get positive results.
You can also book an appointment with your medical practitioner when dealing with anxiety and depression due to cancer treatment, bringing confidence and hope to you.