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Receiving a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming for both patients and their families. Increased anxiety or distress is normal. You may be feeling 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 is important to talk to your care team.
Some symptoms of anxiety and depression to watch for include 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, and difficulty making decisions.
Identifying and addressing anxiety and depression are an important part 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, including:
- deep breathing,
- meditation,
- yoga or tai chi,
- art therapy,
- music therapy,
- journaling,
- exercise as recommended by your provider
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 Affiliated Oncologists are here to help.