Breast Cancer is not only a physical illness and one of the leading clinical manifestations in women. Its psychosocial issues are also prevalent. Psychosocial issues that breast cancer patients can have in the long term include:
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Sadness, helplessness, exhaustion
- Concentration impairment, sleep disturbances.
- Mental and cognitive attention
- Sexual dysfunction, infertility
- Interpersonal trauma and psychiatric disorders
Psychosocial problems have the nature of underpinning the emergence of psychiatric problems. The prevalence of psychological disorders in cancer patients ranged from 29 percent to 47 percent. Furthermore, in breast cancer, the present author considers that possible psychological disorders can affect the prognosis of the condition, adherence to treatment, social and societal functioning, and survival rate. So, this article discusses the psychiatric symptoms and diseases that can occur in patients with breast cancer. We will also discuss the effect of psychiatric symptoms on the treatment of the disease.
Breast cancer and psychiatric disorders
Cancer is a severe health condition. Because it usually leads to death in the absence of early diagnosis and treatment. Also, it causes death in millions of people worldwide. There is also a very high risk of psychiatric disorders arising. Accompanying psychological conditions significantly impact the patients:
- Quality of life
- Self-care
- Adaptability to medication
- The incidence and prognosis of cancer and response to treatment
People who are told that they have cancer usually have trouble accepting what they heard first. They may even refuse to understand the situation, lose their temper, and become sorrowful.
In a study of 303 patients who underwent diagnoses:
- 45 percent of patients had various psychological disorders
- 42 percent of them had depression and anxiety
- 27 percent had mild depression
- 9.6 percent had major depression
- 8.6 percent had only anxiety
- 6.9 percent had phobic conditions
- 20 percent had 2 or more disorders
Diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders can increase patient adherence to medication. It can also increase the quality of life. Hence, in this sense, it is important to:
- Identify mental disorders and underlying factors to understand patients better
- Make it easier to adjust to their new status
- Prepare a proper treatment approach
Psychological Issues/Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Firstly, it is important to keep in mind that you’re not alone. Researchers also found that people with breast cancer often suffer depressive symptoms. Also, these symptoms affect their quality of life and adherence to treatment.
Some of the conditions that a patient with breast cancer can experience include:
1. Extreme emotional stress
Extreme emotional distress is the most common psychological issue for patients with breast cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has endorsed a straightforward questionnaire known as the “Distress Thermometer.” It is a means of determining whether emotional distress has a major impact on your life.
2. Major Depression
Depression goes beyond passing depression or brief feelings of emptiness or disappointment. So it is a psychological condition in which depressed moods and an inability to feel joy occur. Also, some mental and physical signs interfere with everyday life. Whereas, someone with clinical depression does not have any symptoms. It is necessary to consult with the doctor if you experience either of the following:
- General unhappiness: Feeling depressed or hopeless most of the time
- Negative thoughts: A continuous sense of worthlessness, hopelessness about the future
- Reduced interest: No motivation. even the smallest tasks or the feeling of a great effort
- Decreased concentration: Inability to concentrate on simple tasks or even conversations
- People’s problems: Avoiding others, lashing out as others want to help
- Guilt and poor self-esteem: A feeling that issues are all your fault or that you are not good enough for anyone
- Physical problems: Sleep issues, noticeable weight loss or gain, brain or body aches
- Suicide: Dreaming about death, considering suicide
3. Post-Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can impact individuals who have undergone or threatened a traumatic event. PTSD can be serious in cancer patients dealing with safety and mortality issues. One German research showed that most (approximately 80 percent) newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer had symptoms of PTSD. The symptoms to be monitored include:
- Reliving the moment. Intense and distressing memories of the time of the diagnosis.
- Avoidance. It takes a long time to keep away from places or people that remind you of your disease’s painful experience.
- Increased arousal. Feeling easily shocked or frustrated. Being unable to sleep or focus as though danger is imminent.
4. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
A survey of 152 patients with breast cancer found that approximately 32% experienced GAD. It is an anxiety condition with a general feeling of unease or fear despite little or no threat.
GAD sufferers spend most of the day worrying, often to the point of emotional fatigue. They experience physical symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, muscle aches, and sleep disorders.
What To Do – Seek Emotional Healing After Breast Cancer
If you notice any of the symptoms of the conditions mentioned above, note that they are common. Also, you don’t have to keep fighting on your own. So, there are some important measures to help you address your symptoms and concerns:
- Reach Out to Others. Lean on friends with trust and family members. So get in touch with those of the same faith who have been treated for breast cancer. Moreover, find community service organizations. Hospitals specializing in breast cancer treatment usually sponsor these types of groups. Your doctor can also provide you with information on support groups.
- Talk With Your Doctor. Your mental health is important for the successful treatment of your physical condition. It’s important to tell your doctor about anything that leaves you troubling. Ask a referral to a mental health provider if you would like more support.
Know which issues require immediate help when suffering from Breast Cancer
Contact your doctor or local hospital urgently if you have either of the following:
- Feelings of suicide or continuing daydreams of death
- Unresponsive behavior, such as drinking to the point of a blackout or driving erratic
- Inability to feed or sleep for a few days
- Extreme difficulties breathing or calming down from anxious feelings
The Bottom Line
Patients with cancer can experience emotional and behavioral changes during diagnosis and treatment. This can be seen both at the level of psychological illness and mild depressive signs. Hence, psychiatric disorders can include anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders. Furthermore, a study of existing literature reveals that anxiety and stress are exacerbated through treatment. As a result, this deteriorates life quality. So the team in charge of breast cancer therapy may have good control of the physical and psychosocial signs that may lead to anxiety and depression. Also, it should be able to develop patient-specific medication and care standards. Therefore, it is necessary to treat patients’ quality of life with cancer. Doctors should also provide them with mental and psychosocial assistance. Because specialists monitor every change in this process. Hence, they should prompt all forms of mental changes impacting adherence to the therapy process. Also, they should reconsider social and medical support.
