|
This section has been reviewed and approved by the PLWC
Editorial Board, 05/05
Up to 30% of people with cancer experience anxiety, defined as intense
feelings of worry, fear, and dread. Anxiety can be acute (occur in short
episodes that end quickly) or chronic (remain over time). Sometimes anxiety
is caused by a physical condition, such as a hormone-producing tumor or
uncontrolled pain. Often, though, the following fears cause anxiety:
- Death or the process of
dying
- Cancer
recurrence (return) or metastasis (spread)
- Pain
- Loss of control
- Dependency or
abandonment
- Changes to the body
- Procedures, needles,
tests, or ceratin treatments, such as
chemotherapy
Feeling anxious about test results is common for many
people with cancer. However, if anxiety and fear disrupt your life for
more than a few weeks, you may want to seek treatment.
Symptoms of acute anxiety
Anxiety that occurs in short episodes is often called an anxiety attack.
The symptoms of an anxiety attack include the following:
- Heart palpitations or a
rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of suffocation
- Sweating, chills, or hot
flashes
- Dizziness and
lightheadedness
- Trembling
- An itching or burning
sensation on the skin
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Feelings of fear or
dread
- A feeling of detachment
from yourself or your surroundings
Symptoms of chronic anxiety
The symptoms of chronic anxiety, which occur for a much longer time, may
include one or more of the following:
- Excessive worrying
- Restlessness
- Muscle tension
- Insomnia (sleeping
problems)
- Irritability
- Fatigue (extreme
tiredness)
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble making decisions
Diagnosis
To help diagnose anxiety, the doctor may ask about the following:
- The presence of an
anxiety disorder before the diagnosis of cancer
- A new diagnosis of
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic, or generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD)
- Any new phobias (fears)
of needles, biopsies, transfusions, or certain treatments, such as
chemotherapy
- A history of depression
or substance abuse problems
The doctor also may look for the following physical causes
of anxiety:
- Hormone-producing tumors
- Uncontrolled pain
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Imbalances of blood
sugar, calcium, or magnesium
- Hyperthyroidism (an
excess of thyroid hormone)
- Infection
- Cancer that started in
the brain or spread to the brain
- Medications, such as
antidepressants or antinausea drugs
Managing anxiety
Often the best treatments for anxiety involve techniques to reduce the
body's reaction to stress. If these behavioral techniques to reduce
anxiety do not resolve the anxiety syptoms,
there are medications available to treat anxiety, especially if the
anxiety is severe. Behavioral approaches to manage anxiety include the
following:
Try to recognize your fear. Sometimes people with anxiety feel a
sense of dread or fear that they cannot identify. It helps to articulate
your fears as specifically as possible, even if the fears have no
"solution," such as a fear of a necessary procedure.
Talk with your doctor. Try to express your feelings and your fears
as clearly as possible. If you feel anxious before a certain test,
procedure, or treatment, your doctor may help prepare you by explaining
the procedure and addressing your concerns. Your doctor can help you by
listening to your concerns, providing realistic reassurance, and making
sure you have all the necessary information.
Minimize anxiety. Avoid behaviors that make anxiety worse. Getting
enough sleep, controlling pain adequately, avoiding caffeinated
beverages, and avoiding nicotine withdrawal symptoms can help reduce the
symptoms of anxiety.
Practice relaxation. The following relaxation techniques may help
reduce anxiety:
- Focused breathing
- Muscle relaxation
- Guided imagery
- Meditation
- Hypnosis
- Biofeedback
- Yoga
Ask your doctor for a referral or list of providers.
Talk with a counselor. Mental health-care professionals are
trained to help people cope with anxiety, and some specialize in working
with people with cancer.
Stay involved. Becoming involved with a religious organization,
support group, or a cancer organization may help you cope with anxiety.
Medication. People who experience severe acute anxiety may need
medication before trying any of the techniques listed above. However,
most people try medication only if no other behavorial
techniques have worked. Some medications reduce anxiety very quickly, in
a matter of hours. If anxiety is still a serious problem after a few
weeks, your doctor may offer other types of medications that are more
appropriate for chronic anxiety.
More Information
Mental Health and Cancer
PLWC: Managing Side Effects
Back
to Top
|
