The word cancer is a scary word for all of us, it almost gives us goosebumps. It's the last word we want to hear from a doctor. Unfortunately, most of us encounter cancer in one way or another in our lives. Either someone close to us gets cancer or we ourselves. Cancer patients and their relatives do not just struggle with the disease. They also have to cope with the emotional distress caused by the disease. Cancer causes long-lasting psychological and emotional problems. Even if the disease is successfully defeated, the effects of the damage it causes in psychology continue.
Anxiety and Depression
The most common psychological reflection of cancer treatment is anxiety. For example, in patients receiving chemotherapy, the physical changes caused by the treatment (hair loss, weight loss, body edema, etc.) negatively affect the person's self-confidence. In addition, cancer patients feel intense sadness. If this sadness continues for a long time and becomes unbearable, it can lead the person to depression and anxiety. In such a case, the patient must receive psychological and pharmacological support.
Guilt
Guilt is another complex emotion felt by cancer patients. A cancer patient may think that he or she has cancer because of the choices he or she has made in the past, the habits he or she has and has not abandoned, and the way he or she behaves. Cancer patients often feel guilty for the distress and sadness they cause to their loved ones. Guilt is not an easily understood emotion; The individual keeps his guard tightly. It is necessary to understand this feeling and try to get over it.
Anger
The long and difficult time spent in the hospital leads the person to anger. Cancer patients can no longer do many things they could do before due to the disease and its treatment. Feelings of frustration accumulate in people. Cancer patients also feel unhealthy and inappropriate anger towards themselves for having the disease or towards others they believe caused the disease. If this anger cannot be controlled, it definitely requires psychological support.
If you are a relative of a cancer patient
You are struggling with cancer or have survived it. If you are, be sure to express your feelings to your loved ones. Share with them what you are feeling and experiencing. Don't keep these feelings inside and try to deal with them on your own. Remember that in order to beat cancer, you need to have high morale and be emotionally strong. If you are the patient's relative and you are responsible for the patient's care, please do not neglect yourself. Patient relatives are at risk of wear and tear as much as the patients themselves. The person caring for the patient must be strong so that he can support the patient. Make hopeful plans for the future with the patient, tell him about the fun activities you will do together when you leave the hospital and help him develop a hopeful perspective on the future.
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