An advanced cancer diagnosis also increases your risk of frailty — meaning you’re less able to recover from illnesses or injuries. This, in turn, can impact your mental health. A recent study found that the prevalence of frailty in older, long-term prostate cancer survivors was associated with a greater impact on emotional health and a worse quality of life.
That’s why it’s crucial to protect your mental health when you’re dealing with advanced prostate cancer. “A cancer diagnosis or bad news of a relapse can be highly stressful, so it’s important to identify personalized approaches to managing anxiety, stress, and depression,” says Andrew J. Armstrong, MD, a professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
Here are a few ways to take care of your emotional health while managing advanced prostate cancer.
1. Get Screened for Anxiety and Depression
In fact, assessing you early on for anxiety and depression is one of the more important jobs of your provider, says Dr. Armstrong. If you do have either (or both) conditions, your doctor can advise you on ways to treat them with options such as medication, therapy, or both.
2. Don’t Hide Your Feelings
You don’t have to put on a brave face. Hiding your fears from others (or even yourself) won’t help you feel better. Rather than burying feelings of sadness, anger, grief, or fear, acknowledge them. Start by admitting how you’re feeling to yourself; then, open up to others you’re comfortable confiding in.
3. Lean on Your Loved Ones
“Men with strong social support networks … tend to have better treatment outcomes,” says Armstrong. A spouse or partner, for example, can play a big role in helping you make decisions about which treatment option to pursue, as well as keeping you motivated throughout the treatment process, he says.
Spiritual support, as well, may help you feel better. Some research shows that spiritual or religious beliefs and practices can boost well-being, possibly by lowering levels of anxiety, depression, anger, and feelings of isolation.
4. Join a Support Group
No matter how many loved ones you have at your side, you may want to join a support group. Connecting with others who have prostate cancer and understand what you’re experiencing can help you feel less alone. Even better? These connections can improve your quality of life and may even extend your lifespan.
Armstrong notes that support groups provide more than just emotional support. These groups also offer access to practical advice when others share their experiences with certain treatments and strategies for managing symptoms and side effects.
If you’re receiving treatment at a cancer center, you should have access to a range of patient support groups. Ask your cancer care team or a social worker at the hospital for a referral.
“No man should face this diagnosis alone,” says Armstrong.
5. Keep Up a Healthy Lifestyle
6. Practice Relaxation Techniques
To reduce the stress that can often accompany a cancer diagnosis, try engaging in meditation, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and guided imagery. Other ideas, says Armstrong, include exercise, yoga, spiritual practices, and time in nature.
You can combine certain techniques — for example, take a walk around your neighborhood, meditate outside, or practice mindfulness while standing in line. Aim for a 5- to 10-minute session. If you notice your mind wandering, that’s okay; just refocus your attention on the task.
7. Consider Counseling
You may benefit from seeing a mental health professional, such as a therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, says Armstrong. You can opt for one-on-one counseling or group counseling, depending on your preferences.
Before scheduling a session, you may want to call to discuss your needs and goals. Speak with a provider in advance to determine whether their style of support is a good fit for you.
You can also find mental health resources through leading organizations or patient advocacy groups such as:
The Takeaway
- An advanced prostate cancer diagnosis can increase your risk of depression, anxiety, and frailty, all of which can interfere with your ability to treat the disease.
- To protect your mental health, try practicing relaxation techniques and keeping up a healthy lifestyle.
- Talk with others — in a support group or in counseling sessions — to learn techniques to better cope with your condition.
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