John R. "Jack" Steel, M.D. F.A.C.R.O. of Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology discusses Managing Anxiety During Cancer Treatment.
Some of the most difficult emotions to handle during cancer treatment can be nausea, apprehension, and panic. Here are some ways to cope with those feelings that will make you feel better.
The majority of cancer patients don’t feel nervous all the time. Maybe you’ll feel anxious:
Right before therapy
Upon care
Reflecting on going to the hospital or clinic
Going for a check-up
Waiting to see the results
It helps to explore your own way to deal with your anxieties. Maybe you want to try:
Bringing along a parent or friend to support you through therapy
Seeking comfort from nurses and physicians
Relaxation activities
Do any sort of physical exercise you enjoy
Getting a reflexology injection once a week or a soothing massage
You may need clinical support if your anxiety is continually impacting your daily life and you feel in a permanent state of panic and concern. Your doctor can suggest that you see a therapist help you find ways to deal with your disease, which is very normal for patients with cancer.
Know that it is an extreme experience and emotions like this are common to have cancer and go through treatment.
It’s just as necessary to get help with extreme anxiety as taking your medicine. Continuous or serious anxiety will affect your mental, emotional, and physical health and your cancer treatments are not helpful.
Professionals in mental health will offer resources to help you build a support group, strengthen your coping skills and avoid negative thinking.
When each treatment begins, keep a diary or journal about how you feel. This will help you let your doctor know if your emotional symptoms are getting worse or better.
Treatment Methods for Treating Cancer
Focusing on the present moment is another beneficial strategy, which will help you reframe your relationship to ambiguity. You can avoid both avoidance and reassurance-seeking behaviors using cognitive behavioral ability and mindfulness meditation. It can be very helpful to learn ways to let go of emotions, accept moments of confusion, and recognize impermanence, especially when it comes to your physical symptoms.
Cancer Management Relaxation Methods
Find a strategy that can help you minimize your anxiety and make use of it. The calming methods may be used alone or in conjunction with other treatment forms. Some can be achieved with little guidance. A teacher may be requested by others.
Breathing exercises "“
This can be as easy as gradual and deep breathing, 15 times in and out.
Directed visualization "“
Sound and words allow you to picture a happy world, emotions, and experience.
Progressive muscle relaxation "“
This process involves muscles contracting and then relaxing. You start at the toes or at the top of your head and you relax the muscles slowly through the entire body.
Meditation "“
Sitting meditation or meditative movement, like Tai Chi, maybe your preference. In order to achieve a sense of well-being in the present and to alleviate tension, this approach requires concentrating attention.
Yoga "“
This is the method of getting to a comfortable state by using breathing and posture exercises.
Biofeedback "“
This means paying attention to signals from your body, such as your heart rate, and monitoring them.
This can include setting aside “worry time” and learning to reframe worries. Cognitive-behavioral skills.
Expressive art therapies "“
Artistic practices release your stress and worries, including dance, poetry, and art therapy.