Anxiety disorders in cancer patients

This is an automatically translated article.

Anxiety disorders are common and very common when people are diagnosed with cancer. Many patients already suffer from depression, so it is necessary to coordinate the treatment of mental problems, anxiety disorders in cancer patients

1. What is anxiety disorder in cancer patients?


Anxiety disorder in cancer patients is very likely to occur when the patient often feels worried and afraid about certain events and situations that will happen after the diagnosis of cancer. Anxiety disorder in cancer patients can be anxiety about the following:
Detection of tumors, appearance of symptoms of the disease. Get tested for cancer treatment. Think about frequent hospital visits or long hospital stays for treatment. Cancer treatments, possible side effects. The possibility of tumor recurrence, metastasis, even facing death. The risk of cancer anxiety disorder is higher if the person has a personal or family history of depression as well as an anxiety disorder. Besides, after being diagnosed with cancer, the patient does not receive the attention, support, emotional sharing of relatives, friends or faces financial burden related to treatment. Cancer can also cause anxiety disorders.

2. Manifestations of anxiety disorders in cancer patients?

Recognizing the symptoms of anxiety disorder or depression when having cancer is essential and is the basis for treatment. Anxiety disorders in cancer patients are divided into two levels: acute and chronic.
Patients with acute anxiety disorder present with anxiety, fear of greater intensity, apathy, disinterest in their surroundings or themselves, palpitations, heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, sweating, dizziness, chills, tremors, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea.
Manifestations of acute anxiety disorder may appear frequently for short periods of time. If the above symptoms appear at the same time, a sudden panic attack may occur. Panic is a serious and alarming symptom of anxiety disorder in cancer patients. At that time, the patient may be accompanied by signs of shock and need emergency treatment.
Chronic anxiety disorder is characterized by prolonged excessive anxiety, restlessness, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, fatigue, or irritability.

Rối loạn lo âu có biểu hiện lo lắng quá mức, bồn chồn, khó tập trung
Rối loạn lo âu có biểu hiện lo lắng quá mức, bồn chồn, khó tập trung

3. Treatment of anxiety disorders in cancer patients


Anxiety disorders in cancer patients need to be screened after diagnosis and during treatment for timely detection. Treatment for anxiety disorders falls within cancer treatment, as anxiety can interfere with cancer treatment.
Depending on the symptoms, frequency of occurrence and the impact of cancer anxiety disorder on life, the doctor will give appropriate treatment advice. During screening, patients are encouraged to clearly communicate to healthcare professionals how they are feeling, what is causing their fear, how it manifests, and how it affects their daily lives. star.
Treatment of anxiety disorders in cancer patients can use one or more of the following therapies together:
Relaxation techniques: You can choose one of the exercises such as deep breathing, stretching, meditation. , yoga, guided fantasy to perform and relax. Relaxation techniques may or may not be combined with other cancer anxiety disorder therapies. Psychotherapy: Psychological health professionals use tools to improve their negative thoughts. Medication: Patients diagnosed with moderate or higher anxiety disorder may be prescribed medication for treatment. Therefore, cancer patients need to let their doctors know about treatment drugs as well as herbs and functional foods that support cancer treatment. Medication is often combined with psychotherapy for effective treatment. The duration of medication for psychological problems is usually 6 to 8 weeks.

4. How to limit anxiety disorders in cancer patients?


To limit anxiety disorders in cancer patients, we can:
Encourage (but not force) patients to talk to share, relieve feelings of anxiety and fear. Explain that feelings of anxiety, sadness, and frustration are completely natural and can affect anyone, not just cancer patients. Advise the patient not to hide his or her anxiety and fear. Listen, express empathy and desire to help the patient, value and share the patient's feelings. Seek help from a psychologist for additional support. Visiting a psychologist is essential to avoid cancer anxiety disorders, affecting the treatment process as well as the patient's quality of life. Therefore, anxiety and depression disorders in cancer patients need to be screened, detected and treated so as not to affect cancer treatment.

Thăm khám với chuyên gia tâm lý là việc làm cần thiết để tránh rối loạn lo âu ung thư
Thăm khám với chuyên gia tâm lý là việc làm cần thiết để tránh rối loạn lo âu ung thư
In order to limit complications and anxiety disorders in cancer patients, at present, early cancer screening is considered to be the perfect measure in timely detection and treatment of all types of cancer. Reduce the cost of treatment and especially reduce the mortality rate in patients. Vinmec International General Hospital always deploys and introduces to customers the Early Cancer Screening Package at Vinmec - Peace of mind to live well to help with gene testing, imaging, testing of biomarkers to detect tumors you early.
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Only one gene test can assess the risk of 16 common cancers in both men and women ( lung cancer , colorectal cancer , breast cancer , pancreatic cancer , cervical cancer , stomach cancer , prostate cancer ,.....) Early detection of early signs of cancer cancer through imaging, endoscopy, and ultrasound. The operation is simple, careful and accurate. A team of well-trained specialists, especially in oncology, are capable of handling cancer cases. With a system of facilities, advanced and modern medical equipment and a team of doctors with deep expertise and experience, it will help the examination and treatment process of patients at Vinmec become faster with High efficiency, save cost and time.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

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