Psychological Responses To Cancer Recurrence

Psychological Responses To Cancer Recurrence

Psychologist
What is a psychologist?
When a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma it is logical to visit a variety of doctors who try to cure the disease. One of the doctors that the patient can visit is the psychologist. Psychologists act as counselors, therapists, friends or just as a shoulder to lean on. It is no secret that the diagnosis of such a serious illness and end-times, such as mesothelioma, has rigged endless emotions. Even with the endless doctor visits you will have to attend the patient, it is good that has a psychologist because they are experts in helping this sudden change of a meaningful life.

The psychologist plays an important role for cancer treatment can help the patient and family to reduce emotional stress, improve patient-physician communication, reduce side effects of treatment and improve the quality of life of patients. There is ample evidence that proves psychologist intervention strengthens the patient's immune system and helps you live longer.

The six responses to cancer
It is common for patients to follow a pattern of six cancer related responses. The first answer has to do with distrust. This is understandable especially with mesothelioma because having a latency period of 20 to 50 years, asbestos exposure is distant in his memory and will be hard to link what they did 50 years ago with the diagnosis of mesothelioma. It will be good why psychologists can explain how this happen and give statistical data for the patient to see you are not alone.

The second answer has to do with pain and neglect. It is normal when it comes to dying patients and when this happens the first priority must be to maintain an open discussion with the patient, family and psychologist. Pain control, optimism, family support and commitment to a nearby medical need.

As a third response to mesothelioma is normal that the patient has anxiety. Unfinished issues, financial issues and work obligations pose a great burden on the patient's mind. Also the choice of treatment, when one of them is a potential risk to life threatening, can make the patient is restless.

The psychologist has to be there to convince the patient to receive the treatment is for the sake of their interests, to persuade him to ask for information and to act accordingly.

The fourth most common response is guilt. The patient may blame himself for failing to seek medical help before. The psychologist should work for the release of this guilt and remind the patient that mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, so it was virtually impossible for doctors detected decades ago.

The fifth most common emotion is grief, which increases with depression, which is a physical cause of cancer. Psychologists notice that patients need more than advice to really feel helped with the recent diagnosis. Sometimes they send the patient to a psychiatrist who can prescribe drugs to help them such as antidepressants or sleeping pills.

The last sentiment is common among cancer patients is anger. Psychologist can help the patient to change that feeling for something more positive such as exercise or spend more time with his family. Anger is normal for the patient, but nevertheless it is better for the individual to change those feelings for other more constructive and healthy.

Get involved, ask!
Psychologists are there to help the patient cope with all the feelings that a person can feel when faced with cancer. They can change the welfare of patients, helping them with their feelings of anger and guilt, and to reduce anxiety and depression. It is helpful for the patient and talk to your psychologist will ask all questions you may have. Psychologists are there to lend a hand when needed, and will be happy to answer everything you ask them the best way possible.