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Cancer
and Depression
Cancer pain is a topic of national debate and education.
Cancer patients and their families
want expanded access to treatment options.
They also want to know how to overcome barriers
to advanced pain therapies; and
what changes are taking place in their areas, as patients may
have broader
treatment options in some states than others. They also want to help their loved
one during his or her time of crisis. People believe that cancer and depression
go hand in hand,
however that is not the case says the American Cancer Society.
One of the biggest myths about cancer is that being depressed is an inevitable
part of the
disease. Not so, says the National Cancer Institute. In fact, while
it's perfectly normal for
people with cancer to experience some degree of
sadness and grief, clinical depression strikes
only 15 to 25 percent of cancer
patients.
You may be clinically depressed if...
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you feel sad or empty
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you've lost interest in ordinary
activities
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you suffer from decreased energy
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you've lost your appetite
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you've noticed changes in sleeping
habits
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you have difficulty concentrating,
remembering or making decisions
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you're plagued by feelings of guilt,
worthlessness, helplessness
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you cry a lot
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you think about death or suicide
The
key to staying well - physically and emotionally - is recognizing the difference
between
"normal" degrees of sadness and a more serious, debilitating
depression. Learning that you
have cancer almost always produces feelings of
loss and a sense of disbelief, denial or despair.
These emotions may depend if
the cancer progresses or after treatment has ended.
When a particular kind of cancer of disfiguring treatment affects your identity
or self-esteem,
you're likely to feel sad or depressed. For instance, losing
your hair during chemotherapy can
make you feel low. If you're a woman, losing a
breast may threaten your femininity. And if
you're a man, you may find the idea
of prostate surgery unnerving.
What's more, certain cancers - such as pancreatic or brain cancer - can actually
cause
depression to set it. And some cancer medications, such as chemotherapy
drugs and antinausea
remedies, can have a depressive effect. So it's not always
easy to tell if your depression is
associated with the cancer itself or its
treatment, if it's a temporary emotional reaction or if it's
a sign of something
more serious. Here's a good rule of thumb: Seek professional help if your
symptoms last longer than two weeks.
The good news is that there are many ways to treat depression successfully.
Therapy may
include antidepressants, one-on-one counseling or a combination
approach. Sometimes sharing
your problems in a support group can ease your
emotional burden. And remember, even though
you may feel alone, you're
surrounded by others who love and care about you. Withdrawing
from family and
friends will only compound feelings of sadness and isolation.
Some people find that relaxation therapy, meditation, or hypnosis help. And
still others find
solace in prayer or by talking to their clergymen. The most
important thing to remember is that
there is no reason to suffer. Prolonged
depression can destroy the quality of your life and make
it much more difficult
- or impossible to make sensible, educated decisions about your
healthcare. But
once the depression has lifted, so too will its debilitating symptoms. At that
point, you can reclaim your life and enjoy each day to its fullest.
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