Cancer is a life-altering disease that is often accompanied by great psychological stress. For example, patients must cope with the fact that their daily life is temporarily or permanently changed, that they may have to leave their profession or remain limited in their health. Social or spiritual problems may add to this. As a result, cancer patients may develop a mental illness, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Professionals in the field of onco-psychology specialize in caring for and counseling cancer patients and their loved ones to mitigate these effects.
What is onco-psychology
Onco-psychology helps specialists understand people’s reactions to cancer, identify psychosocial factors of its occurrence and develop methods of psychological help for patients and their loved ones. This direction in psychology was created in the late 80s and early 90s.
To be able to cope with stress is important, because oncological disease is characterized by signs of crisis and extreme situations:
- its occurrence is always sudden and life-threatening; the
- person’s habitual picture of the world is destroyed, there is a feeling of uncertainty and lack of control over what is happening.
At the same time, the diagnosis of cancer is associated with worries about long, difficult and sometimes traumatic treatment, changes in financial situation and status in society.
Why a person with cancer should not refuse psychological help
Most cancer patients experience anxiety, fear and worry about their future. For example, in 87% of women who have undergone radical mastectomy (breast removal) for breast cancer, the initial anxiety and fear transformed into severe neurotic disorders and depression after surgery. And even successful treatment and victory over cancer prevent these women from enjoying life. Working with a psychologist helps to reduce anxiety and fear and improve quality of life.
- An onco-psychologist helps you to accept the problem and start fighting cancer.
- Talking to a specialist allows a person to talk it out, to stop accumulating anxiety and worry, to discuss issues that may upset relatives or meet their incomprehension.
- Often because of the disease changes the relationship with friends, relatives, colleagues. It is also useful to discuss this with a psychologist and find solutions.
- Psychological help helps a person to be more optimistic about the future, which has a positive effect on treatment.
Of course, not all people with cancer need psychological help: for some people the support of friends, relatives and family members is enough. But if you or your loved ones find it hard to cope with the burden of emotions, going to a psychologist is no more shameful than going to a traumatologist for a fracture.
When you need help from an onco-psychologist
Depression can increase the risk of recurrence after cancer treatment and decrease adherence to anticancer therapy. Because pain and mood disorders share several common pathogenetic mechanisms, depression can lead to a lower pain threshold.
Therefore, the first important step of psychological care for cancer in practice should be screening for psychological distress using well-established clinical tools.
Psychological care for cancer is needed in the following cases:
- Difficulty waiting for medical results;
- ambivalence about treatment;
- preparation for cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy);
- anxiety/depression related to cancer and its treatment;
- coping with side effects (nausea, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, etc.);
- difficulty adapting after treatment;
- worry about recurrence;
- need to optimize quality of life.
The help of an oncology psychologist may be needed by those who need to learn to live with a loved one’s cancer or deal with the grief and loss of a loved one. An oncology psychologist can help you get your life back on track and get back to work.
Types of psychological help for patients with cancer
The methods used in the psychological care of the oncology patient are very diverse and must be adapted to the individual case. Some survivors only need an interlocutor with whom they can talk openly about their problems. Others need more in-depth support.
As a rule, the following methods of psycho-oncological care are used:
- Relaxation. Progressive muscle relaxation or autogenic training: alleviate anxiety and tension.
- Imaginative treatments. Working with positive imagery, such as fantasy travel: relieve tension and fears and create a more positive basic attitude.
- Art therapy (dance or painting therapy): here it is primarily about expressing and editing unspoken feelings.
- Body perception exercises. Patients learn to better perceive and accept their bodies, modified by the disease and treatment.
- Behavioral therapy. Altered thinking patterns significantly reduce patient burden and improve quality of life.
- Psychosocial counseling. This involves practical information such as the illness itself, socio-legal issues, support options and focal points. In individual or group sessions, patients learn how to better manage their illness and improve their health on their own.
Psychotropic medication may also be prescribed for anxiety disorders, depression or very high anxiety. If necessary, occupational therapy is prescribed, in which patients regain lost skills.
Conclusion
Psychological support plays an important role in cancer care, helping patients cope with the emotional and psychological difficulties associated with diagnosis and treatment. Psychotherapeutic support can reduce anxiety, depression and stress, improving quality of life and promoting a better perception of one’s condition. It is important to realize that seeing a psychologist for oncology is not a sign of weakness, but an important step towards restoring both physical and emotional health. Specialist support helps patients and their loved ones to adapt to change, find new ways to cope with the disease and overcome difficulties, which contributes to successful treatment and recovery.
