IF YOU READ THIS BLOG, DO NOT FEEL BAD FOR ME - ALL INFORMATION HAS BEEN WRITTEN AFTER I HAVE WORKED THROUGH IT AND/OR HAVE FULL AWARE OF IT AND MAINTAINED SUPPORT FOR IT.
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PLEASE READ THIS TO UNDERSTAND HOW OTHERS ARE FEELING!
Everyone talks about how they battled cancer and succeeded or lost the battle. I am very glad they feel connected in that way. However, what isn't often discussed is the mental process of dealing with cancer. Although it affects people differently since I have been through this journey and am a counselor, I have seen a side of cancer from cancer to health – that is, the mental effects.
While undergoing breast cancer treatment, a longtime friend of mine recently posted on Facebook that while watching a movie, the mother in the movie passed away from breast cancer. This left the family alone. While she (my friend) had already been cleared by the doctors, she posted on Facebook that she was watching the movie and sobbed. She also stated that she was grateful for being here.
Doctors do not understand this kind of thing or do not feel it is important enough to help you though. Whenever I watch football, all the players wear pink gear to raise money for breast cancer research, and while driving along the road, I see billboards saying, "Come and live at our cancer treatment center."
Define trauma –
1. A serious injury or shock to the body, as from violence or an accident.
2. An emotional wound or shock that causes substantial, lasting damage to a person's psychological development, often leading to neurosis.
3. An event or situation that causes significant distress and disruption.
I think being told you have cancer fits this definition…The moment you are told you have cancer, you become aware of how much cancer is discussed in our society as a whole. I understand the reason for all of this, but I have not heard anyone discuss the potential PTSD effect on people who have or have had cancer. As a PTSD therapist, I am finding many of the same effects and reactions in cancer patients that veterans have - let's compare: I will use my own experiences but I have talked with others who have/had cancer, and these seem common.
Flashbacks: are where trauma is relived for minutes or days –
At times, the moment the Doctor told me it was cancer, my stomach simply dropped out of sight and this just flew up in my brain without warning.
Trouble sleeping -
Upsetting dreams - regarding trauma-causing events. insomnia from not wanting to lose life "time" sleeping. At times, I lost sleep thinking about my wife and children due to cancer invading my dreams and thoughts.
Avoidance: Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
There are days that I would give anything not to hear the word cancer or see anything pink. I try to focus on other things in life and distract myself from trauma. It helps in some ways, but it's difficult to stay positive 100% of the time.
Feeling emotionally numb.
Occasionally after diagnosis and often during treatment, I feel empty inside as if someone has sucker punched me. Everything you had hoped for or planned just gets wiped away at least for a time. For me, it changed everything I was thinking and dreaming of.
Avoiding activities you once enjoyed
The reasons I avoided doing things independently were that they were going to take away from my family time if I was not going to live, so in some ways, it was not because I didn't want to be apart from them, it was because I feared death would take their time away from me.
Hopelessness - about the future
I put my life on hold for three years. I was living to make memories and then I realized that I needed to focus on the future no matter how long I had left. People without cancer cannot understand how challenging it is to look at living the past five-year mark aka the survivor's point.
Trouble concentrating
In the past, focusing on daily mundane tasks was a struggle. I ask myself why I am wasting my time doing these things. I would think I am going to die so who cares if the paint on the house needs fixing! This can leave you trapped in your head and that can slip into depression very easily.
Difficulty maintaining close relationships
Although I have not been affected by this, I know of many people who push people away so they won't have to suffer the emotional pain of their impending death.
Negative moods
On some days, I was just cranky but had no real reason, the "Why me?" question hit home and I had angry reactions.
Guilt/Shame
Patients with or who have had cancer tend to ask why they didn't do this or that. They ask why they worked 90 hours per week while their kids were small. They also ask things like, what if they had not drunk those energy drinks every day, or will they leave an impactful legacy?
Self-destructive behaviors
I didn't walk through this one, but I know several people will think, drink, or use drugs. Why not? Life is over anyway.
Hyperfocus on health
The first couple of years I was HYPER-vigilant about every inch of my body, every bathroom use, lumps, bumps, etc... It is less now, after 15 years, but not totally gone.
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The question is, do cancer patients suffer from PTSD?
I think from the people I have talked to and listened to the answer is, a resounding YES!
I know some people are able to take it in stride and not be reactive from their experience. However, for many more, we can say that receiving the diagnosis of cancer is VERY traumatic.
I want you to consider first yourself, or your friends and family that have had this traumatic event – do you see any of these symptoms?
We have to start treating the mental health of cancer and physical health.
I have listed a bunch of good links below for PTSD and ways to start self-healing – Do not be afraid to seek out support from a support group or therapist if you cannot self heal –
Cancer may not kill you but if you do not fight the mental battle it can still hurt you and the ones you love….
BE THE WINNER IN HEALTHY BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY….
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