Coping with Depression and Cancer

Health issues can be traumatic. Cancer can stir many negative feelings that can lead to depression. Cancer is one of the leading health concerns in today’s health care. This is a significant reason why people who have experienced cancer have a high risk of depression.

Depression can manifest in many ways. It often comes from feelings of inadequacy and sadness. After experiencing something traumatic there are lingering mental effects. These lingering effects can manifest into depression. There is no longer enjoyment in things as before.

Depression in cancer patients.

When a person is diagnosed with cancer there is an automatic thought process of it being a death sentence. The general idea of not knowing what will happen is enough to cause mental stress that will induce fear and panic. All these feelings can become laden with depression. These feelings manifest from irrational or anxious thoughts.

Fear of being extremely sick or even dying begins to overpower their thoughts. This in turn can cause depression and loss of the will to fight. There is help for depression caused by the concerns during the treatment of cancer.

Depression and chemotherapy.

After the initial diagnosis and surgery, the next stage of cancer often involves treatment with chemotherapy. It is at this stage that discussions may arise concerning chemotherapy. Although there have been great improvements in the chemotherapy used for cancer, there are still side effects that can linger for years to come.

The most common side effects such as nausea, weight loss or gain, loss of appetite, fatigue, and hair loss are usually not residual side effects. Even though these side effects do not last long term, they can cause depression as the person sees their body change.

Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The retribution of God will come, But He will save you. – Isaiah 35:4, NASB

Residual side effects from chemotherapy are different for everyone that faces cancer. Some may develop a high sensitivity to sunlight while others may experience premature menopause. Adverse reactions are a possibility. The thought of these can trigger anxiety or depression. Christian counselors can provide help for depression as you heal from the treatments of chemotherapy.

Mental health care and cancer.

The word cancer was once a death sentence. Most patients felt as if they had no hope. But during recent years there have been vast improvements in cancer treatment. Although this is the case, the mental health of cancer patients is a vital component of the overall thought process during treatment.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8, NASB

Keeping a sound mind focused on positivity is how cancer patients can overcome the things that will affect their mental health. By spending time in God’s Word, you will gain the ability to remain strong and positive. The enemy would love nothing more than to get into your thoughts and keep you in fear.

Some triggers can cause depression as a person goes through cancer. From diagnosis to the last treatment, depression is one of the biggest side effects.

The first trigger that can cause depression is the diagnosis itself. For so long the diagnosis of cancer has had a negative impact. This along with the medications can cause an onset of depression. Just the process of treatment and surgeries can cause depression.

Signs of depression.

As a person is diagnosed with cancer, he or she may experience stages of depression. It’s normal to have feelings of sadness, anger, disbelief, and fear of death. These are usually worked through as the treatment process begins and progresses.

If the signs of depression are found to be lingering longer than a few weeks, then it becomes an issue of clinical depression. Then it may be time to seek help from a Christian counselor. These are just a few of the more prominent signs of depression.

Sadness – Being overcome with sorrow most of the time is a sign that depression could be manifesting.

Loss of enjoyment – When there is no enjoyment in the things that were once a pleasure the culprit could be depression.

Change in eating and sleeping – Sleeping more and eating a lot more or a lot less are signs that there could be depressed thoughts.

Withdrawn from others – Withdrawing from others is a classic symptom of depression.

Feelings of hopelessness – Being consumed with feeling hopeless is often noted in those who are struggling with depression.

If you feel that you are experiencing depression, ask your healthcare provider if he or she can assist you in seeking help for depression, including getting help from a Christian counselor.

The daily fight against depression and cancer.

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? – Matthew 6:25, NASB

When you first begin the journey with cancer, depression is something that can creep you’re your daily thought processes. When you’re tired, it can slip in as thoughts of just not being able to fight it. When you lose your hair, depression is triggered by the difference in your appearance. So many things that you face during treatment can trigger depression.

This means that each day you have a choice to think positively. Choosing to seek God in your everyday activities can help you battle the negative mindset that comes from cancer treatment. The best way to confront this depression is to take time each day to read the life-speaking verses in the Bible. God desires for us to walk in healing and wholeness.

Learning to trust God’s truth can make a difference in how a person thinks. When a person is spiritually strong and positive this will begin to affect his or her thought processes. In a chain reaction, thinking positively will often bring an energy that comes from hope in God’s plans and provision.

For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:13-14, NASB

No one knows our beauty more than God. He designed every tiny part of our being. Even when the enemy tries to ravage our bodies with cancer or wreck our minds with depression, the Creator of all things still breathes life and beauty into our spirits, bodies, minds, and souls.

Cancer and grief.

Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For You are my praise. – Jeremiah 17:14, NASB

Facing a diagnosis of cancer is often thought of as grieving. Not in the sense of grieving death but grieving the loss of how life was before cancer. The stages closely follow those of grieving a loved one. Anger, denial, shock, bargaining, and acceptance are the basic five stages of grief. As a person struggles with cancer and its treatments, he or she will also face most of these stages but there may be more depression rather than shock.

Coping and healing from depression and cancer.

…and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. – James 5:15, NASB

Coping with the various aspects of cancer begins with understanding all the emotions that can come with treatment. A wide range of emotions is normal. It’s okay to ask others to help you work through these emotions. Feeling out of control is common and can affect how your emotions fluctuate daily. Knowing that God is in control and allowing yourself to rest in His words can ease these overwhelming feelings.

Learning to adjust to a different daily routine is also another area that brings healing. When you know what to expect and trust that God will be present through the process you can alleviate stress and feelings of dread.

Managing your daily life with normal activities and a mindset is one of the best ways to cope and heal. Remaining strong in your faith and even working if possible can also combat depression during this new daily routine.

Remember you are not the disease, and you still have the choice of how you continue to live with hope. If you feel that you require help coping with depression and cancer, reach out to a Christian counselor who can help you.