Types
of Mental Health Support in Breast Cancer
Asking
your doctor for a referral to a counsellor or therapist may be a smart choice
if you are experiencing anxiety, sadness, or stress and notice no change. The
importance of mental wellness in breast cancer treatment is acknowledged by
many cancer institutes. Depending on the setting in which you receive therapy,
you can be directed automatically to counselling.
Some
people discover that different forms of assistance are beneficial to them at various
points in their lives.
Types
of therapies available
There
are several ways to obtain support for mental health. You might wish to think
about several sorts of therapy, such as:
1)
By figuring out the unconscious meanings and motivations behind negative or
self-destructive actions, feelings, and beliefs, psychoanalytic therapy aims to
change them.
2)
Changing taught negative or self-destructive beliefs and actions is the main
goal of behavioural therapy. A more recent form of behavioural therapy is cognitive-behavioural
therapy.
3)
Changes to negative and self-destructive beliefs, which are assumed to cause
unpleasant feelings and behaviours, are the main goal of cognitive therapy.
4)
Acceptance and dedication the use of acceptance and mindfulness in behavioural
therapy, which teaches people to accept their experiences, become more
conscious, and commit to changing their behaviour, is a related concept in
therapy.
5)
Humanistic treatment puts an emphasis on a person's admirable accomplishments
and capacity for reasoned decision-making. Encouragement of self-discovery,
healing, and fulfilment are the objectives.
Depending
on the individual needs of each patient, integrative or holistic therapy
combines various therapeutic modalities.
To
best serve each patient's needs, many doctors combine various therapies.
According to research, people with breast cancer may find cognitive behavioural
therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to be particularly beneficial.
Types
of mental health professionals
These
many types of counselling and therapy are provided by several qualified mental
health professionals:
1)
Psychologists. Psychologists have received considerable
training in diagnosing and treating issues related to complicated mental health.
Psychotherapy is provided by both psychologists and psychiatrists. However,
most psychologists treat patients using psychotherapy while the majority of
psychiatrists treat patients largely by giving medication.
2)
Psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are medical professionals
who, in addition to identifying and treating mental health issues, can also
write prescriptions for drugs. While some psychiatrists specialize in helping
people manage their medication, others offer counselling. To support their
patients, psychiatrists frequently collaborate with other types of mental
health specialists.
3)
Nurse practitioners in psychiatry. NPs are a common
abbreviation for psychiatric nurse practitioners. These experts are licensed registered nurses with additional education in mental health. Under the
direction of a physician or psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioners are
qualified to diagnose illnesses and prescribe specific medications.
4)
Navigational peers. Peer navigators are breast cancer
survivors who volunteer their time at cancer treatment facilities and hospitals
to support those who have just received a diagnosis. You can be paired with one
of these peer navigators by your cancer care team. A mentor who has gone
through a similar situation can be found for you or a caregiver through
organisations like Imerman Angels. When you need support, peer navigators can
offer information, counsel, or just a listening ear.
5)
Psycho-oncologists. Psycho-oncologists have received specialized training in helping cancer patients with their mental health. The
study of psychological, behavioural, emotional, and social problems that emerge
with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer is known as psycho-oncology.
Selecting
a mental health specialist
It's
crucial to find the correct individual to talk to. When making your choice, you
might want to take into account the following:
1)
Select a therapist who is familiar with breast cancer.
It is beneficial to consult with a cancer care specialist.
2)
Discover the ideal fit. Selecting a therapist whom you feel
comfortable with is crucial to treatment.
3)
Think about your possibilities. To help you select the
ideal specialist, you might want to first try calling a few different ones.
Many therapists provide a brief, no-cost consultation so that you can get to
know one another. It's common for folks to consult with one or several
therapists before selecting the best one for them.
4)
Select the option that best suits your needs. Whether you
prefer in-person appointments or online visits is entirely up to you.
Your
chosen professional may provide therapy to you in one of several ways:
1)
Individual guidance. The process of talking to a counsellor
one-on-one in a private setting is also referred to as behavioural therapy or
talk therapy. You can acquire new coping mechanisms and work on emotional
management techniques together.
2)
Counselling for families or couples. With your partner or the
entire family, you attend counselling in couples or family therapy. You talk
about your emotions and how they effect each family member under the counsellor’s
guidance.
3)
Group therapy. a mental health treatment that brings
together a number of individuals who are going through comparable circumstances
or who have been given comparable diagnoses, such as breast cancer. An authorized mental health care expert is always in charge of group therapy.
According to some experts, the purpose of group therapy is to aid in
identifying and changing undesirable ideas or habits.
4)
Support networks. In that they group individuals with
comparable experiences, they are comparable to group therapy. The main
distinction is that although support groups can be facilitated by mental health
experts, they can also be led by someone who has experienced the same thing as
the group as a whole.
5)
Grief Support. For those who have been diagnosed with
metastatic breast cancer, grief counselling may be helpful. Grief counsellors
are mental health experts with a focus on end-of-life issues. They employ a
range of techniques, such as talk therapy, pain management, and meditation.
Family and friends are frequently involved in this process.
Virtual
treatment can be provided virtually, either over the phone or via video visit.
Online
message boards could be of interest to those who want to connect with people
going through similar things.
Here
are a few places where you can feel secure and seek help, locate information,
and exchange stories:
1)
Meetups for the Cancer Survivors Network
2)
Virtual Community, where you can converse with community members
3)
Coalition for Young Survival
Drugs
that may be useful
There
are medications that can ease mental health difficulties in addition to
counselling.
Remember
to consult with your oncologist before beginning any new medication. It can
also be a good idea to consult a reputable pharmacist. If any over-the-counter,
herbal, or prescription medications have the potential to interact with breast
cancer treatment, your oncologist or a dependable pharmacist can confirm this
for you.
Typical
medications include:
1)
Antidepressants. A chemical imbalance in the brain that
affects mood and emotions is the cause of depression. These molecules are
balanced by antidepressants. Antidepressants must be taken consistently for a
predetermined amount of time, unlike anti-anxiety medications, which can be
used as needed. Antidepressants may take up to six weeks to significantly lift
one's mood. Additionally, antidepressants might enhance sleep quality and
lessen some of the negative effects of breast cancer treatment.
2)
Medication to treat anxiety. These are frequently
administered for brief periods of time to lessen strong emotions of anxiety,
dread, or worry as well as to slow down pounding heartbeats and rapid
breathing.
3)
Medical marijuana. Some studies have indicated that medical
cannabis may help lessen anxiety, pain, tension, and insomnia, while more
research is required. It's vital to keep in mind that the legalisation of
medical marijuana varies per state.
The
purpose of certain herbal and vitamin supplements is to improve people's
emotions. Nevertheless, it's crucial to be aware that some supplements can
affect how breast cancer is treated. Your oncologist can advise you on the
safety of taking herbal or vitamin supplements if you're interested in doing
so.
Additionally,
sleep deprivation might have an impact on your mental state. Your doctor could
advise a sleeping aid, but there are natural alternatives to manage insomnia as
well.
Complementary
treatments that may be useful
Some
people may be able to better manage their stress and worry following a breast
cancer diagnosis with the aid of complementary therapies, commonly known as
alternative therapies. It's crucial to inform your medical care team before you
begin if you're considering alternative therapy.
The
following complementary therapies have been proven to be successful:
1)
acupuncture
2)
art reiki
3)
biofeedback (teaches people to understand how stress affects the body and how
to control basic functions, such as heart and breathing rates)
4)
directed imagery
5)
journaling
6)
meditation
7)
mindfulness
8)
progressively relaxing the muscles
9)
itai chi
10)
yoga
For
some of these complementary therapies, a practitioner is necessary. After a few
sessions with a qualified instructor, the others can be self-taught or
completed independently.
Adapting
your way of life can be helpful.
After
receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, some people discover that even minor
lifestyle adjustments can help them feel better overall. Among these
modifications are:
1)
Consuming nutritious food. Your body and mind can be
strengthened via appropriate hydration and a healthy, well-balanced diet.
2)
Sleeping soundly. Adults typically require at least seven
hours of sleep per night. Nevertheless, those who have been given a breast
cancer diagnosis could require extra sleep. How much and how well someone
sleeps can be significantly influenced by their emotional well-being. If
you are having difficulties falling or staying asleep or feel too exhausted
when you wake up in the morning, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor.
Some people have success using self-help techniques to enhance their sleep.
3)
Continually move your body. The American Psychological
Association states that more investigation is required to determine whether
regular exercise and the brain chemicals linked to stress, anxiety, and
depression are related. Nevertheless, a lot of psychologists advise frequent
exercise since it can inspire other beneficial behaviours like consuming
nutrient-dense foods, interacting with others, and getting enough sleep, all of
which can elevate mood. Additionally, studies suggest that those
with breast cancer who exercise may experience fewer relapses. 3 Remember to
consult your doctor before beginning any workout programme.
4)
Reducing Alcohol intake and giving up smoking.
In fact, anxiety and depressive symptoms can be exacerbated by alcohol
consumption and cigarette smoking. It becomes sense to discuss your options
with your doctor if you want to reduce your alcohol intake or cigarette
consumption.
Every
therapy session, whether it's an individual or a group one, is private. Whether
you choose to disclose that you are receiving treatment to family and friends
is entirely up to you.