Receiving a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming for both patients and their families. Increased anxiety or distress is normal, and you may feel sad, discouraged, powerless, or fearful at times. These feelings may come and go throughout treatment, but if they persist for more than two weeks and begin to interfere with your daily life, it’s important to talk to your care team.
Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression:
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Feeling consistently irritable or angry
- Having trouble focusing on tasks or activities
- Feeling fatigued
- Difficulty making decisions
Identifying and addressing anxiety and depression are important parts of cancer care. Your provider will screen for distress and depression and ask about your emotional health. Your care team can offer resources, including one-on-one counseling services or cancer support groups where you can speak with people who have firsthand experience with cancer.
You can also use several techniques to improve your well-being during treatment:
- Deep Breathing: Helps to relax and reduce stress.
- Meditation: Can provide mental clarity and calm.
- Yoga or Tai Chi: Gentle physical activities that promote relaxation.
- Art Therapy and Music Therapy: Creative outlets for expressing emotions.
- Journaling: Writing down your thoughts can be therapeutic.
- Exercise: As recommended by your provider, staying active can boost your mood and energy levels.
Don’t hesitate to contact your care team if you experience symptoms of anxiety, distress, or depression during treatment. We know this is a difficult time, and we are here to help.
Missouri Cancer Associates is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for our patients throughout their treatment journey. If you have any concerns or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.