When you’re undergoing cancer treatment, the physical effects alone can be so overwhelming that mental health gets lost in the shuffle.
Between keeping up with chemo appointments, juggling health insurance and running your daily life, it can be hard to care for your mind and soul. On some days it’s just too much–you feel that your brain is full and your tank is empty. You’re at the point where you’ve got nothing left.
When you’ve got nothing left mentally, it’s okay to disconnect for a while and stop processing. Zone out in front of the TV or take a long nap. Feel sorry for yourself. In fact, feel all of your emotions, especially the ones that you may have been keeping hidden.
Cry in the shower. Stop making an effort to be graceful and “positive” in public, and don’t apologize for being honest about how you feel. Don’t do anything that isn’t absolutely necessary. Eat off paper plates for a while or buy thirty pairs of underwear to avoid doing the laundry. Above all, don’t feel guilty if you aren’t acting strong, thinking positively, or practicing mindfulness. Just be.
But what happens if you can’t stop crying? What if you can’t think straight? What if you feel like you want to run away or run right out of your own skin?
While it’s normal to experience sadness, rage, fear, grief, and all sorts of similar emotions during cancer treatment, it’s important to be aware of some warning signs of clinical depression. Depression is common in people with cancer and can occur at any time, including after chemotherapy and other treatments are completed.
Depression is persistent sadness and hopelessness that interferes with your ability to function, and it’s important to treat depression with counseling, prescription medication, or both.
“Medical Alert: Tell your doctor if you have thoughts of killing yourself. While thinking about or worrying about death is normal during cancer treatment, thoughts of suicide are a sign of depression.”
Your family doctor and your oncologist are both qualified to diagnose and treat you for depression. Alternatively, your doctor may refer to you a psychiatrist if your symptoms are severe. Tell your doctor if you have had any of these symptoms for more than two weeks.
Symptoms of Depression
Persistent sadness
Persistent irritability (grumpiness)
Persistent hopelessness
Inability to enjoy things that usually give you pleasure
Inability to concentrate or problems with memory
Insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep)
Thoughts of harming or killing yourself, or a plan to do so
Other symptoms of depression include fatigue, poor or excessive appetite, weight loss or gain, poor concentration, and increased sleep. However, these symptoms also can be caused by chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, and having them doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re depressed.
Discuss all of your symptoms and your feelings with your doctor in order to sort out what’s going on and to get the correct treatment.
So now what? If you’re not depressed and you’ve already had a cry in the shower and a bit of exercise, how else can you keep yourself mentally healthy during cancer treatment? From a practical standpoint, attending to the following areas can help you stay on top of your mental game.
For many people, faith is a cornerstone to their well-being. If you’re part of a religious tradition, practicing your faith can be a source of energy and comfort. Whenever you can, attend your religious services and study your holy scriptures.
Prayer and meditation are healing practices, and attending religious services connects you to others who will encourage you. Even if you don’t belong to a particular religious group, any spiritual practice that you keep can also provide comfort, insight, and support. This might mean praying at home with a friend, meditating alone, or attending an online service. Even walking in nature can be a spiritual practice.
Hope is also important for keeping your mental energy strong. Note that having hope includes more than just hoping to be cured. Some of you may be receiving maintenance chemotherapy for advanced and metastatic cancer, and in this case, you will be in treatment for the rest of your life.
When treatment will not bring a cure, you must define for yourself what your hopes and goals for treatment are, such as staying healthy enough to work, spend time with family, or traveling. Maintaining your hope for a “good outcome,” however you define it, is key to being able to live as free as possible from depression and fear.
It’s possible to have hope while living with advanced disease.
Seeking the company of supportive friends and family is another way to boost your spirits. When you surround yourself with those who love you, it can help you feel happier and more hopeful. The kind words and actions of your loved ones function to fill up your emotional reserves that have become depleted.
You’ve been working so hard to take care of yourself during your cancer treatment, so allow yourself to be recharged by soaking up some good vibes from your favorite people.
Remember the power of humor to make you feel better–even gallows humor! During my chemo treatments, I had a friend whose self-appointed job was to send me funny cards, books, and jokes. These ridiculous and slightly sarcastic cartoons about cancer totally hit the spot!
If you have a good laugh, it will lift your spirits and release tension. You can watch a comedy with a buddy or listen to a podcast alone while lying down for a nap. During cancer treatment, when life seems ridiculous and detached from reality, you might find yourself asking, “How did I get here?” On these days, laughing seems like the only appropriate response!
“Helpful Hint: During chemotherapy treatments, you may find it less tiring to listen to audiobooks than to read, so try signing up for an audiobooks service.”
While there’s no quick fix to maintaining your mental health during cancer treatment, I hope that you’ll try the above suggestions in order to stay mentally and emotionally well.
Remember to talk to your doctor if you’re struggling, and please stay in touch by following me on Twitter & Instagram @BZavaletaMD and signing up for my newsletter here. Onward together!
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