Navigating the emotions surrounding a cancer diagnosis

The words are shocking: It’s cancer.

Whether you heard those words yourself or from a doctor treating someone you love, it likely felt like the ground dropped out beneath you.

We’ll be honest: Nothing we can say or write will take away those feelings. The emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis are complex and profound. You will certainly experience a range of intense emotional stages of cancer from diagnosis throughout your care journey.

While it’s natural to feel the emotional toll after a cancer diagnosis, you and your loved ones must find healthy ways to cope with these emotions to navigate a cancer diagnosis effectively. Research shows that mental health plays a key role in the healing process, so it’s essential to invest time and energy into addressing the mental health challenges.

Read on to learn more about why mental health is so important when it comes to navigating a cancer diagnosis, and to learn strategies on how to copy with the emotional stages of cancer.

Emotional stages of cancer patients

There’s no right or wrong way to feel when you or your loved one receives a cancer diagnosis. One of the first emotional stages of cancer is shock and disbelief– it’s hard to imagine that cancer is actually happening.

From there, many people describe feelings of fear, anger and frustration. They are scared about the diagnosis and treatment, and then angry and frustrated with the many physical implications that come with that  diagnosis. Many people also describe feelings of loneliness and helplessness. They feel like they are the only ones having to navigate cancer, and they feel like no one can understand what they are going through.

Another common feeling is guilt. Caregivers feel guilt as they watch a loved one suffer knowing they can’t do anything to take away the pain. People with cancer feel guilty that they are putting their families through so much and don’t want their loved ones to have to care for them.

Whatever your emotions, just know that they are normal.
>
Many people express experiencing a high level of stress throughout cancer diagnosis and treatment– so the last thing you need to be stressed about is your emotions. So remind yourself that it’s okay to be upset one day and feel fine the next. It’s okay to be angry and sad and frustrated and fearful. It’s okay to feel both hopeless and hopeful at the same time.

Whatever you are feeling–it’s ok. Your emotions are all part of the process of navigating the cancer diagnosis.

How emotions impact mental health

The National Alliance for Mental Health explains that we all experience core emotions like  sadness, anger, fear, joy, and excitement. These core emotions are triggered by the events in our lives. For obvious reasons, a cancer diagnosis triggers a plethora of core emotions.

How we handle these emotions impacts our overall mental health.

Many people push aside core emotions when they are stressed and overwhelmed, allowing negative, inhibitory emotions like anxiety, shame and guilt to take over. For example, after a cancer diagnosis, it’s natural to feel sadness, anger and fear. If a person takes these natural, core emotions and suppresses them or pushes them aside, debilitating anxiety over the diagnosis could arise.

It’s important to deal with natural core emotions– even if they are difficult– in a way that is constructive so that inhibitory emotions don’t take over and lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.

Tips for coping with your emotions

<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>It can be hard to know where to start regarding your feelings– especially when it probably feels like you’re on an emotional roller coaster. While every person handles their emotions differently, the following strategies have been helpful to many others. We recommend that you spend some time testing these strategies to find out which ones best help you to cope and process your emotions.

• Reflect on your emotions. It’s easy to want to push your emotions aside and not think about them. However, many people benefit from intentionally identifying and processing their emotions. The American Lung Association says that it’s essential to process our emotions in order to release the psychological distress that comes with a diagnosis. This could mean journaling about your emotions, or meeting with a therapist to consider what you are feeling.
• Share with others. A cancer diagnosis is very overwhelming and no one should navigate it alone. Find a support group of people who you trust and share your feelings with them regularly and consistently.
• Take time to do fun things you enjoy. Even after a cancer diagnosis, you are capable of having fun. Take time to do things you enjoy with people you love.
• Practice relaxation strategies. Find ways to relax and calm your emotions. This could mean practicing mindfulness, listening to music, going on a walk, or simply spending time resting in a comfortable and quiet place.
• Practice healthy sleep habits. Sleep can be healing, but oftentimes after a diagnosis, people find themselves struggling to sleep. Find ways to get the rest you need so you can heal.
• Exercise. Exercise is a great way to clear your head. It also has the added benefit of boosting your body’s ability to heal. So find ways to get regular exercise, such as going on walks, joining an exercise class, or practicing yoga.
• Use humor. Laughter can be great medicine and help with stress release. Watch a funny TV show or read a funny book and allow yourself time to laugh.
• Stay connected. Isolating yourself after a cancer diagnosis can be dangerous. Lean on your friends and family for help. Additionally, find a support group to connect with people going through a similar journey. Our Grayce Gather community is a great place to start.

Emotional support for cancer patients

It’s normal to have intense emotions following a cancer diagnosis. However, there are times when these emotional stages of cancer develop into mental illness. The National Institute of Health says that anxiety and depression rise as much as 10-20% after a cancer diagnosis, and as many as 35-40% of cancer patients have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder.

<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>If you or a loved one is struggling to navigate the emotions of a cancer diagnosis, it’s important to reach out to a health care provider. If you recognize the signs of depression or anxiety or other mental illness in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to seek help. Therapy or medication can help you to handle mental health challenges even as you get treatment for cancer.

A Grayce Care Partner can help you to tackle the struggle of a cancer diagnosis. They understand that this can often be a difficult time for you and your loved ones. They can suggest ways to get support and help you find options that work for you.