Managing Mental Health
- Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, 22, a nine-time Grammy winner and respected artist of all generations, has candidly said that she feels she’s never truly been a “happy person. Though she’s experienced “joy,” she considers herself a “depressed person.”
- Gen Z, the first generation to grow up with social media in their younger years,is known for having a higher depression rate than any other generation, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Naturally, young cancer survivors in this age group have it particularly hard.
- More than ever, it’s important to reach out for support (or let those going through it know you care). Human connection can help us all — at any age — feel less alone. Don’t delay contacting your doctor or a mental health professional today. While waiting for your visit, SurvivorNet’s mental health guide can help you on your way.
Gen Z, the first generation to grow up with social media, is known for having a higher depression rate than any other generation, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Naturally, young cancer survivors in this age group have it particularly hard.
Read More“This generation is also significantly more likely than other generations … to report their mental health as fair or poor,” the survey discovered, noting that they are “more stressed overall” about news in general.
This makes sense, as other generations did not have as much access to current events during their youth, but with social media, we are now overwhelmed with instant access to tragic news in the U.S. and around the globe, at all hours of the day.
Coupled with a health challenge like cancer or another life-altering disease, life can understandably seem hopeless at times. More than ever, it’s important to reach out for support or let others know you care. Human connection can help us all — at any age — feel less alone.
Likely due to her relatability, and of course, her artistry, many feel aligned with Eilish and her musical depth, which evokes a lot of feeling, with some lighter, and some tracks darker, than others.
In 2019, Eilish, who won an Academy Award this year for her global hit she wrote for the Barbie soundtrack, “What Was I Made For?” once sent a personal video to cheer up a 14-year-old fan going through brain cancer. “I’m making this video right now to tell you how much I love you, how much I care about you, I hope the best for you, I hope you’re feeling okay.”
Making someone’s day and being there for someone else can instill a sense of purpose, but on the flip side, it can seem overwhelming if you’re having a hard time navigating your own feelings. Making sure you’re okay first is best, so then you have some extra energy to share with others.
Handling Depression
The physical challenges of a cancer battle might be expected for some, but the mental struggles may catch some people off guard. It’s important to know that struggling with grief, anxiety and depression because of a cancer battle is very normal and understandable. If you are already suffering from those issues, they may intensify.
Dr. Scott Irwin, a psychiatrist and Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, urges cancer patients to talk to their care team about their mental health.
Mental Health: Overcoming Depression
“We all get depressed from time to time, have a sad day, feeling down and blue, that’s part of normal human emotion, part of normal life,” Dr. Irwin said.
“Some of us, when we’re dealing with difficult things such as a diagnosis of cancer, may be sad or down or blue more often. And sometimes it gets to the point where that depression can be a little bit overwhelming, and we help them through therapy, through non-medication interventions.”
Dealing With Grief Related to Health Problems
You might feel like your mind is the least of your worries while fighting cancer, but it's important to know just how much your mental well-being can affect your health as a whole.
“Actually, there’s data that if you have extra stress or depression that you may not recover or you have a higher risk or recurrence,” Dr. Irwin said. “In treating the depression, we’re actually impacting the cancer care outcomes.”
RELATED: Learn to Forgive Yourself — Dealing With the Psychological Aspects of Cancer
And, just like we saw from the research above, mental health concerns should not end as soon as a cancer warrior is done treating their disease. Mental health wellbeing should be a lifetime commitment, and it’s important to remember that your past experiences, such as a battle with cancer, may still impact your mental health later down the line.
There are many ways to address mental health issues as a cancer survivor. Some of the options include:
- Meditation: According to The ASCO Post (a product of the American Society of Clinical Oncology), “several studies have documented the value of meditation in managing both psychological and physical symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments. But it is important for patients considering meditation to note that regular, ongoing practice is essential for sustained benefits.”
A Guided Meditation for the SurvivorNet Community
- Practicing mindfulness: Jon Kabat Zinn, founder of the eight-week stress-reduction program Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) that has entered the mainstream of health care defines mindfulness as "awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally.”
- Talking with a therapist: “People that are struggling with coping with the experience, coping with body image should reach out to their doctors, find a therapist in the community,” says Dr. Irwin.
- Joining a support group: Dr. Amy McNally, gynecologic oncologist with Minnesota Oncology, encourages her patients to consider joining support groups: “You don’t have to share a thing. You can just sit and listen “or you can be part of the conversation and offer your thoughts. And it can be different every time you go.”
- Medication, such as antidepressants: When a cancer warrior and their care team decide medication is necessary to treat a mental health issue, it’s important there is a comprehensive conversation about what medication would be best for them. Looking into side effect profiles and genetic testing can help doctors make medication decisions. “I often try to choose medications with the lowest side effect profile,” Dr. Irwin said. “If patients are getting hormonal therapy, there’s particular antidepressants that we can’t use because they may lower the effectiveness of that hormonal therapy and so we choose antidepressants that don’t impact the cancer care.”
RELATED: How Can Genetic Testing Help Determine the Right Form of Mental Health Treatment?
Contributing by SurvivorNet staff.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
