A cancer diagnosis can affect your body physically, mentally and emotionally. And for some cancer survivors, it can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says Ashley Burgess, LMSW, a Piedmont oncology social worker.
What is PTSD?
“PTSD is an anxiety disorder,” says Burgess. “It comes about when individuals experience something frightening or life-threatening. Often, it can be associated with a natural disaster, sexual assault or other serious events, but we’ve seen from research that cancer survivors can also experience PTSD.”
PTSD can make you feel stressed or scared, even when you are no longer in danger.
The various stages of the cancer journey can trigger PTSD, including:
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The initial diagnosis
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Changes in treatment
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Changes in providers
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Progression of disease
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The treatment itself
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Financial concerns
“Not every person undergoing cancer treatment experiences PTSD,” she says. “But I’ve seen a large portion of cancer survivors have PTSD.”
Signs of PTSD
“The symptoms of PTSD aren’t always experienced or expressed in the same way by each person,” she says. “Because of this, it often goes untreated.”
Symptoms of PTSD don’t usually show up immediately following an event or exposure, she adds. Instead, they may appear weeks or months later, long after a person has healed physically.
Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD include:
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Flashbacks
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Trouble sleeping
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Nightmares or dreams about the event
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Avoidance of feelings, thoughts or places that remind you of the event
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Loss of interest in favorite activities
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Feelings of guilt, anger, shame, fear or hopelessness
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Social isolation
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Negative thoughts about yourself or the world
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Trouble remembering key aspects of the traumatic experience
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Trouble feeling positive emotions
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Panic attacks
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Depression
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Substance abuse
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Suicidal thoughts
If these symptoms are present for at least a month and cause difficulty in daily functioning, they may be indicative of PTSD.
Treatment for PTSD from a cancer diagnosis
“I’m a firm believer in individualized treatment,” says Burgess. “What may work well for one person may not work well for another. It’s important to identify what helps you.”
Generally, she says, PTSD treatment can include one or more of the following:
Is there a cure for PTSD?
Burgess doesn’t like to use the word “cured” to describe PTSD recovery; instead, she says patients can be desensitized to the trigger.
“You can learn to de-escalate your emotions and reactions,” she says. “You can learn ways to cope so PTSD isn’t so debilitating that you can’t function. We talk a lot about being proactive and not reactive. We also discuss knowing your triggers and taking steps to de-escalate your emotions before you’re at a level 10.”
Encouragement for cancer survivors with PTSD
You don’t have to cope with PTSD alone.
“There’s support out there for you,” says Burgess. “Don’t suffer in silence. With the right support and treatment, you can live a better quality of life.”
Your entire care team is there to support you in your cancer journey, including your:
“We all work together,” she says. “If you let anyone on your team know that you’re experiencing intense emotions, we’ll address it.”
If you experience the symptoms above on a regular basis, talk to someone on your care team for support.
If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, contact your health care provider, call 911 or visit the emergency department right away. You can also contact one of the following emergency hotlines:
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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call or text 988
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SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “NAMI” to 741741
Learn more about support during the cancer journey.