Psychological Effects of Breast Cancer

While the physical side effects of breast cancer and the subsequent treatment of the disease can be difficult for women, the psychological effects of breast cancer can be equally devastating. The nonprofit informational site Breastcancer.org reports that pain is both emotional and physical. Additionally, the psychological ramifications of a breast cancer diagnosis leave many women in emotional turmoil.

Nervous Exhaustion

Dealing with the pain of cancer, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can leave a person exhausted. While individuals experience pain at various levels, most women experience some measure of pain when going through breast cancer treatment. Fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy, but nervous exhaustion can lead to other emotional side effects if not managed properly. Coping techniques that can help relieve exhaustion include talking to a doctor and getting medication to avoid depression and anxiety that can result from exhaustion, participating in uplifting activities such as church or cancer support groups and asking for help from family and friends.

Anxiety

The American Psychological Association reports that many women feel anxious and worried after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. While many women are prepared for the disease because of high risk factors, others are shocked when they receive the news and become anxious about the treatment and how it will affect their lives and if they will die. Relationships can become strained when anxiety interferes. Friends and employers may treat the person differently, increasing the anxiety. Often women react to the shock by withdrawing, eating poorly and refusing to exercise. Sleep may be interrupted and other habits may develop, such as smoking, drinking or taking drugs. Women experiencing anxiety symptoms can receive counseling from a psychologist or counselor trained in treating caner patients. They can learn better coping skills, how to communicate their distress to friends and family and how to develop more a positive outlook that ultimately can aid in their recovery.

Depression

Depression, sadness and feelings of hopeless are common reactions to a breast cancer diagnosis and can continue through treatment and recovery, reports the American Cancer Institute. Depression affects the quality of life for cancer patients by disrupting everyday activities, interfering with relationships and the ability to relax. Counseling and psychotherapy can help people undergoing cancer treatments by providing a safe environment to express negative feelings and learn coping skills that can help patients develop a sense of well being that can improve the quality of life. While counseling can help women feel better and make better use of their time, there is no scientific evidence that psychotherapy in any form can help increase the survival rate of breast cancer patients.