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Depression & Post Cancer Psychosomatic Symptoms

After undergoing cancer treatment and ridding the body of cancer, a patient would be expected to be ecstatic. However, depression and other psychosomatic symptoms can also easily take over the life of a post-cancer patient.

  1. Significance

    • The National Institute of Mental Health lists diseases that are commonly associated with depression. Cancer is among that list of diseases.

    Identification

    • Cancer patients often suffer from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, which is a group of symptoms that develop after a stressful situation. In addition to cancer, it is seen after surviving combat, natural disasters or other life-threatening events.

    Symptoms

    • Cancer survivors with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may have symptoms such as recurring nightmares about the cancer, constant thoughts about the cancer, avoiding anything that can be associated with the cancer experience, fearfulness, irritability and insomnia.

    Potential

    • Stress symptoms are more likely to occur in patients whose cancer has recurred. Longer treatment and hospital stays can also increase a person's risk for PTSD.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The National Institute of Mental Health says patients suffering from depression and cancer have worse symptoms for both diseases. Also, treating patients for their depression can increase the success of cancer treatment.

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