ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND INSOMNIA
Can chemotherapy cause anxiety and depression?
Yes! The combination of operations, medical treatment and exams, together with concern and fear about the future leads to anxiety and depression in many patients. Moreover, many patients experience an unjustified fear that effects their ability to carry on calmly with their daily lives.
How long do these problems last?
hey can be resolved if tackled with patience, the support of family and friends, and the help of a specialist.
Should you take medicine to resolve these problems?
Only when really necessary and under medical supervision.
Can you become addicted to these drugs?
No! They should only be taken for a limited time and with the objective to helping you overcome a particularly difficult period.
Is it possibile you will develop sleep problems?
Yes! They can be associated with the medicine or, more commonly, with a state of anxiety.
Should you take medicine?
If your doctor thinks it appropriate.
What should you do if you have insomnia?
Sleep as much as your organism demands. Avoid coffee, tea, coca-cola from the late afternoon on. Do not go to bed if you are not sleepy. Maintain your regular daily routine.
If you are anxious, depressed or you cannot sleep should you seek medical advice?
Always! These are problems that can greatly impact the quality of your life and, if addressed with competence, can be resolved quickly and effectively.
What can your family do to help?
The family environment should be as serene as possible. Opportunities to share moments of leisure or just some of the regular daily routine together should be created. Family members should talk to you and encourage you not to hide your real emotional state. They should neither play down nor make too much of a big deal of your condition.
What should you avoid at all costs?
It is absolutely necessary to avoid taking any medicine to counter anxiety or depression without medical supervision. It is very important to pay no attention to those who insist on telling you about negative experiences in cases similar to yours. Keep in mind: chemotherapy is not the same for all types of cancer, support therapies are not practiced in the same way in all hospitals and clinics, the disease itself as well as related clinical problems can influence the incidence of eventual side effects, and the ability and the will to face problems associated with cancer and its treatment varies from person to person. In conclusion, what counts is the individual experience for the daily management of problems that could arise. Anxiety, depression, and insomnia can be faced and resolved if everyone (patient, family members, and doctors) work together in a coordinated fashion towards finding a solution.