Do you know over 8.4 million American adults act as caregivers and advisors for individuals with mental conditions? 

Life can be an uncertain balancing act, with the balance rendered imbalanced in many ways— losing a job, getting divorced, losing a close family member, or getting diagnosed with cancer. All these can significantly lead to mental health problems. According to psychologists, cognitive disruption can be more painful than physical health. If you talk about cancer, it is a slow and gradual cessation that leads to severe side effects and different types of damage to your body. But apart from the physical disruption, it impacts your mental well-being too. Something most people never talk about out of fear. It can lead to various mood disorders like depression, anxiety, impairment in cognitive functioning, and low self-esteem.

A cancer diagnosis affects not only the individual but also their families, friends, and caregivers, psychologically and physiologically. 

Mental health and depression

Feelings of fear, anxiety, and restlessness are signs of a possible mental health concern. Distress is another uncertain emotion that makes you feel unpleasant. It can affect how you act and think, making it a hurdle for patients to cope with cancer. Well, depression is a significant mood disorder common among people, especially those dealing with cancer. According to doctors, psychological care is more critical than physical care for cancer patients. Without it, patients become frustrated and impulsive, consequently making their treatment difficult. 

According to a study, cancer patients with depression are twice as likely to pass away earlier than those who are not. When stress levels increase, your body induces a specific response known as “Fight or Flight.” Either you fight with what you are feeling and try to cope with it, or you ignore it. Sometimes the situation can get uncontrollable. The side effects of cancer and depression can feed each other, aggravating the problem further because both are correlated.

Suicide and Cancer

Patients diagnosed with cancer have a four times higher rate of suicides than the general population. The feelings of uncertainty, hopelessness, anger, impulsivity, loneliness, stress, and lack of social support can agitate an individual negatively, leading to an increased risk of suicide.

Daily Chores

Imagine a life of a regular person who is well and fit. One day he wakes up and vomits blood, and the doctor diagnoses him with cancer. Do you think his life will be the same again? He won’t be able to sleep properly, wake up with stress only to feel a relentless wave of anxiety all over his head, and speculate all day long over his hopelessness. What will happen to his family? Who will provide for them? The mind will keep ruminating with distressing thoughts imagining the worst-case scenarios with no sign of respite. Indeed, dealing with cancer can wreck your mental health and take away all peace and happiness from your life. This affects your daily work, chores, and relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. 

Take Care of Yourself

The first thing you need to do is take an active part in cancer treatment. This requires thoroughly following your treatment plans and working on improving outcomes, eventually leading to self-satisfaction. 

Seeking professional help through therapy and counseling is also essential. You can either go to a psychologist, a mental health professional, or a social worker who specializes in supporting cancer patients. You can speak about how you feel and try to overcome your fears by learning scientifically-proven ways of coping with such an issue and implementing them. For medications, you can consult a psychiatrist. 

Despite the ensuing stress making it difficult for a cancer patient to think rationally, mind-body therapies play a crucial role in overall health. Meditation, yoga, jogging, walking, and exercising can help increase the levels of a hormone known as endorphin in your body that boosts your happiness levels, benefiting your body and soul. Such activities will keep mood swings at bay, making it easier to cope with insomnia. It will also help reduce anxiety and stress, allowing you to relax. 

Conclusion

Being diagnosed with cancer isn’t news that people would enjoy hearing. However, it is still important to accept the distressing and life-threatening disease as a reality once diagnosed and work towards improving your life, psychologically and physiologically. Taking care of yourself should be the top priority, requiring quality sleep, exercise, and a well-balanced diet. Doctors must prioritize the mental health of the survivors as well rather than just focusing on the physical one. The mind and body have a strong bond and need to be balanced. 

If you have cancer or look after a loved one diagnosed with this dreadful disease, then Never Let Go is an excellent narrative full of suspense and entertainment with a story about a cancer survivor. The plot reveals how cancer impacts the cancer survivor’s mental well-being and that of his friends and family. The book offers fantastic insights and coping techniques to deal with such a situation. Grab your copy today and experience a true story full of inspiration.