Depression
Knowing you have cancer and need treatment can cause depression. Depression can be short-term or long-term. Symptoms include:
- sadness
- loss of pleasure
- loss of enjoyment
- low motivation to take care of yourself
- low motivation to do your usual activities
It’s possible depression was already a factor when the cancer was found. If depression lasts for a long time, it can interfere with your relationships. It’s hard to want to be intimate or sexual when you feel sad or want to be alone.
Not having a support system or partner to help you through the ordeal of cancer can cause you to feel sad and lonely. When you understand the cause of depression you’ve taken the first step toward knowing how to treat it. Sometimes, asking social workers to help you find resources for at-home help or financial aid can ease the situation. Poor communication with a partner may require therapy with a counselor.
If depression or anxiety keeps you from acting in a healthy way, you may need medications. Anti-anxiety or anti- depressive medication can be used short term or long term. Some women resist taking prescribed medicines. They believe there’s a “stigma” attached to needing help. Most women, though, feel better and more in control of their feelings and decision making when they take the right medicine.
Feeling less anxiety and depression can improve your outlook. It can also help your relationships. Talking to your partner about your feelings can bring you closer together. Talking about feelings is a form of intimacy. Your partner may feel confused, hurt, or unwanted if depression causes you to withdraw from the relationship.
It helps to talk with a counselor or therapist when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Your health care team can provide referrals for you and you partner if necessary.
