How to Cope with Depression after Being Diagnosed for Breast Cancer

If you are a patient with breast cancer who has significant depression or anxiety, you are not alone. Approximately one-quarter of breast cancer patients receive help during their treatment for anxiety or depression. Because of their cancer diagnosis,

like breast ultrasound and 3d mammography, a person may feel anxious or depressed for many reasons. Stress and anxiety can be caused by ending your treatment or finding out that your treatment is not working.

While some sadness or anxiety is normal when you have breast cancer, if you experience severe depression or suicide thoughts, it is important to get help immediately. If this is the case for you, ask your oncology team to refer you to your cancer centre’s department of psychosocial oncology or patient and family support. Here trained professionals are able to help people get the help they are looking for.Your doctor may prescribe medications that are designed to aid mood disorders caused by chemical brain imbalances. But there are many things that you can do to alleviate your sadness, fear, and anxiety on your own.

Getting support from your family, friends, or fellow breast cancer patients and survivors not only allows you to talk about your feelings, it can also show you other people feel the same way. It can help you find hope and new ways to cope with your feelings by talking to support groups. Alternatively, keeping a journal can help you track your moods and give you the ability to share your thoughts and feelings with others that you are not comfortable with.

Small lifestyle changes can also help relieve depression or anxiety symptoms. Eating well-balanced meals can improve your energy and mood. Alcohol and caffeine can cause panic attacks or other anxiety episodes, so try to stick to water or juice. You can release endorphins from daily exercise or physical activities such as walking or mild aerobics. You may not feel right away to exercise, but the more you do, the better you feel. Moreover, exercise can help you get a better night's sleep and improve tiredness symptoms throughout the day. Talk first to your doctor about what kinds of exercises are safe if you have had surgery or are still being treated.