Depression is often misunderstood. There is a big difference between someone who ?? the Blues ?? and being diagnosed with depression. Do not get that job promotion we wanted or break up with our boyfriend / girlfriend can lead us to feel for a few days. We are usually able to pick ourselves up and feel better in a short time. Depression, on the other hand, is a mood disorder that is more serious and affects its ability to function both physically and emotionally.
There are many reasons why depression is common mesothelioma patients and their loved ones (or anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis). Patients face a stimulating treatment and can lose their ability to do the things they like or need to do in life. Chemotherapy can lead to hormonal fluctuations and alter brain chemistry, which can lead to depression. Because mesothelioma patients may not be able to work or socialize as they did, they may become socially isolated.
Caregivers are also at risk of developing depression when a loved one has mesothelioma. They spend a lot of time worrying about their loved one, which can affect their sleep and stress levels. Caregivers are usually overloaded with additional tasks. Sometimes they put their own needs (health problems, family responsibilities, etc.) on the back burner in order to take care of their relatives. Despair about the future of their loved ones is another reason why caregivers are prone to depression.
Doctors usually diagnose depression if someone at least five of these symptoms daily for at least two weeks
- feeling sad or depressed most of the day
- No interest or pleasure in normal activities
- significant weight gain or loss without trying
- Insomnia or oversleeping (hypersomnia) almost every day
- psychomotor agitation or retardation
- fatigue effortlessly
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Poor concentration and problem solving ability
- thoughts of death or suicide
diagnose depression
It can be difficult sometimes to accurately diagnose depression in a person mesothelioma. Many of the symptoms of depression are also side effects of treatment or the effects of mesothelioma cancer. It is common to find sleep changes, fatigue, weight changes and lack of concentration while struggling against mesothelioma.
So how do you know if you or a loved one is depressed? It is useful to remember that most mesothelioma patients have good and bad days in their cycle of treatment / disease. It is very common to feel emotionally depressed when you feel pain, profound fatigue or nausea / vomiting. However, when you are feeling sad, hopeless, guilty or useless the days you do not feel very sick or tired (aka your good days ?? ??), then you may have depression.
Keep track of your symptoms, then talk to your oncologist about how you feel. cancer centers can offer psychological care. Otherwise, they will point to a qualified professional. You can also call the patient mesothelioma lawyers in center, which can help you find the treatment you need. You can reach them at [[++default_phone_number]] .
treatment for depression
Fortunately, there are many treatment options for people who are depressed. Many years of clinical research have shown that antidepressants and / or cognitive behavioral counseling provides the fastest and most effective relief from depression. One of the barriers to getting treatment for depression is the fact that many people with depression are hopeless and socially withdrawn and are reluctant to seek help.
Cognitive behavioral counseling is a very effective type of counseling that aims to help patients include depression and awareness of depression symptoms. A major component of the orientation is difficult negative thoughts / beliefs of the depressed person. The behavioral component of the board encourages the patient to adopt healthy behaviors and active coping strategies.
Antidepressants are another important tool that doctors use to help their patients who are depressed. They work slowly altering brain chemistry becomes ?? out of balance ?? when someone is depressed. Neurotransmitters are the way our brain cells talk to each other, and antidepressants work to help the neurotransmitters do their jobs more effectively. The most common types of antidepressants are SSRIs (inhibitors of serotonin reuptake) and SNRIs (inhibitors of serotonin and noradrenaline). They work to re-balance the serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
These drugs must be taken daily for a few weeks to start working. Some people need to try more than one antidepressant to find one that works for them. Antidepressants are not addictive, but before stopping these medications, you should talk to your doctor. Side effects of SSRIs and SNRIs are usually minor and disappear after a week or two.
support is crucial
Many times family can see that someone is depressed, but the patient is reluctant to admit that they are depressed or to seek help. There are important ways that caregivers and loved ones may be favorable:
- Encourage them to go to their doctor, and offer to go with them so you can express your concerns and what depressive symptoms are that you see the doctor.
- Express concern for the patient, not a criticism about their symptoms or what they do not do to get better.
- Invite them out of the house for ?? low-key ?? activities.
- Tell them that you love them.
- Refrain tell them ?? to be positive ?? or ?? detach it.??
There are a number of reasons that depression is quite common during the cancer experience. But the good news is that there are very good treatment options available. As a loved one to someone who is depressed, please remember that your encouragement, support and understanding can go far to help them get the help they need to feel better.
Questions and answers online support group in March
Q: Is there a way to keep patients out of pain, but always consistent
? A: Yes, the right combination of drugs against pain can usually control pain without seriously affecting the consistency of a person. A drug that is regularly recommended for people with mesothelioma is methadone. That pain medication may help with moderate to severe pain without greatly impacting consistency. Make sure to let your health care team whether the current pain medication is not satisfactory
Q:.? How is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen Treaty
A: When fluid accumulates in the abdomen, known as ascites, a procedure is done to remove the liquid. This procedure is called paracentesis. In some cases, a permanent tube is placed which allows caregivers to remove the fluid at home. Ascites is common in peritoneal mesothelioma
Q:.? Peritoneal mesothelioma can be staged
A: Yes, but an official staging system has not yet been widely accepted. Some doctors simplify the staging into two categories: early and late stage peritoneal mesothelioma. The researchers proposed a more classic stage delivery system with four categories, but more evidence needs to be collected before a staging system is officially and widely accepted
Q:.? Steroids can affect your sleep
A: Yes, steroids can affect your sleep. Sometimes, doctors recommend using a mild over-the-counter sleep to compensate for steroid sleep disruptive.
This material was partitioned in 2014, the Support Group mesothelioma online March 12 years.
If you have questions Monitoring anything discussed here, you can call (855) 404-4592 to talk to Karen Selby, our nurse on staff . Do not miss the next online support group, Wednesday, April 9. Register today!
