Cancer and emotions

Having cancer affects your emotional health.

When people hear the word ‘cancer’ a lot of thoughts and feelings come to mind.  It is very devastating and heartbreaking once someone diagnosed with it.

A cancer diagnosis may affect their lives and the lives of loved ones also. It is very important to manage cancer and your feelings. The impact can be seen in most patients, their families, and caregivers.

Having said that, it could make existing feelings seem more intense. You may also have different feelings if your doctor has told you your cancer is advanced.

Cancer and Emotions 

Surely, it is quite natural to have many different thoughts and feelings once you diagnosed with cancer. Cancer brings many changes in someone’s life. The future, which may have seemed so sure before, now becomes uncertain.

The emotions may change daily, hourly, or even minute to minute. This is true whether you’re currently in treatment, done with treatment, or a friend or family member.

The common feelings may include;

  • Shock and denial

Why me? How come? What I did wrong? When you were first diagnosed, you may have had trouble believing or accepting the fact that you have cancer.

  • Anger and Fear

‘I may die.’ This feeling may bring a kind of anger and fear simultaneously. Mixed mood makes you frustrated or irritated.

  • Hope or Hopeless 

Why this happened to me only? How much I am going to live?’ At first, the thought of living with cancer and treatment can be overwhelming.

Some might even feel like giving up hope.

  • Guilt

‘I must have done something bad in my life, so GOD has punished me. It was destined to be.’ You start feeling guilty for your family, children, wife and loved ones. What will happen to them after me?

  • Loneliness

Even when you’re with people you care about, you may feel that no one understands what you’re going through. You try to compare with everyone with your health and lock down yourself.

Cancer and emotions is a united healing process

You may find that some feelings pass with time, while others last longer. There are many ways to manage your emotions. Try to find a way of coping that suits you.

By accepting the situation and sharing your thoughts and feelings is often a good place to start.

  • Accept the situation and Be positive.

Once people accept that they have cancer, they often feel a sense of hope. It is not about what you did and what you did not.

  • Tell yourself – It’s not only you.

Don’t blame yourself. Millions of people who have had cancer are alive today. Your chances of living with cancer—and living beyond it—are better now than they have ever been before.

  • Express your feelings

Try to pay attention to what you’re feeling, and spend time with people who are positive and uplifting. Talking with someone close will ease your burden.

Share feelings and fears that you may be having.

  • Take out time to relax

Practice yoga, meditation or other methods of relaxation. Play or listen to music. Try to remember the happy things in the recent past and avoid the memories that make you feel sad.

  • Make yourself busy in pursuing the things you love. 

Get yourself busy in pursuing your hobbies. Getting out of the house and doing something can help you focus on other things besides cancer and the worries it brings.

  • Recognise depression

Recognise the symptoms of depression. Your feelings and attitudes can affect the way you cope with cancer and its treatment.

  • Don’t compare your health with others

Try to realize the importance of enjoying the little things in life. It’s you who will suffer if you compare with others.

  • Regular follow-up with HCP.

You have to deal with the emotional impact of physical symptoms, like nausea and fatigue during chemotherapy. If you are struggling to cope, speak to your doctor.

Wrap-up words

  • Just as cancer affects your physical health, it can bring up a wide range of feelings you’re not used to dealing with.
  • Yet, working through your emotions can help lower stress. This can lead to improved mental and physical health. Feeling strong and positive will help you during the healing process.
  • Cancer and emotions is a united healing process. It will definitely impact the treatment also.

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