Revised March 2007
"After my first chemotherapy treatment, I was so scared that I would get a fever or an infection. I took my temperature constantly, and refused to go out in public in case I caught something. I even asked people to stop coming to the house."
Feeling worried or scared
We all experience worry or fear when faced with the unknown. From the time of diagnosis, through treatment and after treatment, there are many unknowns and questions that don't have definite answers.
Typical Worries/ Fears:
- are typical during your experience as you face many decisions and unknowns
- can impact sleeping and eating
- can decrease ability to concentrate
- may create temporary withdrawal from social activities
- disrupts your usual patterns or routines (time-limited)
- can increase your irritability or impatience
- are usually connected to a specific issue
- have symptoms that increase and decrease as issue arises
- doesn't stop your ability to look forward to the future
- doesn't stop your ability to make necessary decisions
The important thing to remember is that any impact that is connected to typical worries and fears are brief and time-limited.
Anxiety and anxiety disorders
Feelings of anxiety can increase or decrease at different times. You may become more anxious if the cancer spreads or treatment becomes more intense. The level of anxiety experienced by one person may be different from the anxiety experienced by another person.
People are unique and what works to reduce your anxiety may not be the same as what works for someone else. Support from family, friends and self-help groups can also make a big difference.
High anxiety can interfere significantly with your quality of life. It may ruin your sleep, worsen your pain, and generally make life miserable. If your anxiety is severe or interferes with your daily activities, you may also have an anxiety disorder.
You're more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety if you:
- had an anxiety disorder in the past;
- have a history of physical or emotional trauma;
- have severe pain;
- have a type of cancer or receive a type of treatment that can cause symptoms of
anxiety;
- have little support
A note about phobias...Remember that fears of certain things like closed spaces or needles can interfere with your treatment plan. Make sure your health care team knows of any pre-existing issues connected to anxiety or phobias.
When might I need help?
If you are not sure what the signs and symptoms may be, we have developed a fact sheet called Symptoms of Anxiety
.
When fear or anxiety interferes with enjoyment of your life or what you need to get done, you may need extra support. For example, if your fears prevent you from absorbing the information that has been given to you about your choices of treatment, you need to find ways to manage your fears.
Anxiety and cancer
There are certain cancers that may create physical problems that cause anxiety. Many cancer medications and treatments can aggravate feelings of anxiety. Many patients experience anxiety connected to fear of uncontrolled pain, being left alone or having to depend on others. Many of these factors can be managed with support.
Even after treatment is completed, you may find yourself facing higher levels of anxiety. For example, you may experience anxiety when you return to work and are asked about your cancer experience, or when dealing with insurance-related problems.
What can I do about it?
Most people with anxiety feel a sense of relief when they learn more about it. You begin to understand we all experience anxiety at some time in our lives and there are ways to reduce and manage it.
Management depends in part on the cause of the anxiety. For example, if you are having anxiety caused by pain, the type of cancer you have, or a medication you are taking, then your doctor will try to treat the underlying cause.
Patients may benefit from other management options for anxiety, including: problem solving for practical matters, counselling, support groups, and relaxation techniques. Anti-anxiety medications may be used alone or in combination with these techniques. Consult with your doctor to learn more and discuss any concerns you may have about these medications.
We have created a fact sheet that provides some suggestions for Managing Anxiety.
What can friends and family do?
Listen and offer support. Encourage the person to seek out professional support for information and solutions that will decrease their anxieties. It is important to let them know they can talk about their feelings and thoughts.
Remember that you can be experiencing anxiety throughout this experience as well. Seek support if you need to.
What's available in the cancer centre I go to?
Some of the resources that might be useful for you include:
What's available in my community?
One of the best resources will be your family doctor. They can discuss the symptoms, the treatment options and community supports that are available.
Mental health professionals in your community such as psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors may also be a support you choose to access. Your local health authority is a good starting point to discover what is available in your community.
General information and support:
BC Mental Health Information Line - 1.800.661.2121 or 604.669.7600 in the Lower Mainland.
The information line provides free information 24 hours a day about symptoms, causes, treatments, support programs and publications.
BC HealthGuide Program - www.bchealthguide.org/kbaltindex.asp
Canadian Mental Health Association (BC) - 1.800.555.8222 or 604.688.3234 for Lower Mainland or www.cmha-bc.org