Psychological first aid for cancer patients

Cancer is one of the most stigmatized illness which includes fear of death, painful treatment procedures, financial burden, fear of re occurrence, amputation and the treatment side effects.

All these aspects will affect the Psychological well being which may range from low mood to severe depression. Cancer demands intensive care for the patients in medical terms, but the much important psychological care is seldom ignored by the care givers.

The patient diagnosed with cancer goes through multiple stages of concern, fear, anxiety and depression. These happen due to unexpected changes in the body, loss of self esteem, fear of amputation, changes in appearance, severe pain, fatigue and also the financial burden associated with it.

The distressing feelings, most of the times are escalated to the family members and friends. There could be some extreme symptoms like insomnia, severe anxiety, suicidal thoughts, helplessness, decreased social interaction with a fear that people are talking about their illness.

This is more prominent in women with breast cancer as these organs are considered as symbol of femininity.

The cancer patient does need support from the family members to feel the strength. The care givers are more focused to cure the physical illness and sometimes the need of Psychological well being is ignored. They show sympathy but not empathy.

Family members can help them by understanding them and clearing their doubts, being with them not showing their anxiety and other feelings to the patient. Talking about subjects in which the patient is interested. Spending quality time, listening to them,

The psychological help is to educating the caregiver the importance of psychological well being which is having a key role in treatment outcome and change patient's perception towards the situations (CBT) and people , building the resilience, coping skills., relaxation therapy to reduce anxiety, sleep hygiene to reduce insomnia ( CBT-I), .

There was a 43 years old female patient with one amputated breast and she felt that her femininity no longer existing and her husband may not like her anymore. She also started doubting her husband and becoming paranoid about his phone calls and other issues. She was given CBT to change her cognition towards her husband.

56 years female diagnosed with cancer suffering from insomnia due to the negative thoughts about her illness and fearfulness regarding the outcome of treatment. The cancer treatment was not yet started when she was referred to the psychologist.

She was given CBT-I and relaxation therapy explaining how the sleep and low anxiety will improve her treatment outcome and it was very helpful for her in the long treatment period.

By:Dr Anitha Are
Author is Clinical Psychologist, Citizens Specialty Hospital