Chronic non-communicable diseases have become a major health problem throughout the world, occupying the leading causes of death; However, the most difficult of these to control is cancer, first of all because it has incorporated deep-rooted prejudices into relationship with its diagnosis, evolution and prognosis, as it is related to various risk factors that involve behavior human; all this has socially and culturally conditioned this disease on the basis of of myths and beliefs; which has hindered the success of health actions.
In this PsychologyOnline article, we will discuss Oncological psychology: psychological treatment for cancer patients.
Index
- Introduction
- The importance of cancer psychology
- The importance of promoting a positive attitude
- Conclusions
Introduction.
Many are the questions to answer when talking about cancer; for example: What is cancer? What causes it? How is it diagnosed? Does it have an effective cure?
Despite being able to look at this disease with greater optimism, it is usually a chronic illness that affects the whole person, due to its medical and psychosocial implications, and that just naming them produces great concern. For all these reasons, it is essential not only to address this disease from a strictly medical perspective but also to assess the psychological aspects, not only from the patient himself but also from the family environment.
The importance of oncological psychology.
Let us then focus our gaze on the importance and need for psychological treatment after diagnosis Of cancer; to increase awareness about the study of psychosocial factors they face people with cancer and to provide psychological resources to cancer patients and their relatives.
Thus, from a psychological perspective, care for cancer patients is increasingly being taken into account, due to the presence of patients who become depressed after the diagnosis of the disease, and in this circumstance it is important that psychological treatment points to educate the patient about changes habits, rejoining social life in such a way that you feel that you regain control over your life and combat depression and anxiety.
Cancer is one of the diseases with greater psychological impact, and frequently after the diagnosis of this disease, symptoms of anxiety and depression are generated in the patient at first. Most patients are able to adaptively cope with the disease, its effects and changes in life. life that involves, alone or with the help of health personnel and their families, without suffering any disorder mental.
However, a certain percentage of cancer patients develop psychopathological disorders due to previous vulnerability, the presence of other stressful events, the absence of adequate coping strategies or a deficit in social support, as well as the conditions associated with the disease can negatively affect not only the quality of life of said patient but also the correct adherence to the treatments.
Thus, the growing interest in the study and application of psychology to cancer is closely linked to psychological treatment of patients with this disease to: reduce anxiety or depression, facilitate adaptation cancer, promote patients to actively participate in their cancer treatment, develop resolution strategies problems, facilitate the communication of the patient with his partner and other family members, as well as improve his relationships social; which will allow the evaluation of the effects of cancer and treatments on the quality of life of the cancer patient.
Quality of life assessment of cancer patients enables us to: identify those patients who require psychological intervention and assess the effects of treatments applied in oncology, given how aggressive these can be treatments.
Meanwhile, coping with cancer is not an easy thing. The physical effects of illness and treatment can be quite harsh, and the emotional and psychological impact of having cancer can be just as challenging. The good news, however, is that there are many kinds of help available through different members of the healthcare team, including the role of psychologists in helping cancer patients maintain the best quality of life during diagnosis and treatment of cancer disease; as well as providing the patient with coping strategies to better overcome her adaptation to stressful events.
This psychological support is essential although it will always be the patient who has the last word, according to a decision-making process assumed throughout the disease.
But, without a doubt, continuous psychological support is necessary to help maintain a positive attitude of struggle and acceptance. It is advisable at all times to help the patient to express all her fears and anxieties. Externalizing those feelings helps to deal with them calmly. Life then arises as a succession of days where vital objectives are raised in the short term. Unrealistic goals are not set, but rather the patient is helped to take control over her life through small “struggles”. This struggle can be aimed at being able to adapt to the limitations that arise. In this fight, the close environment is essential, providing greater emotional stability.
The importance of promoting a positive attitude.
Although it may be difficult, is a great help. For this, it is convenient to focus on the possibilities of personal enrichment and not on the changes about a future that more or less all people realize. That positive attitude is compatible with temporary changes in mood. Externalizing feelings helps, as well as seeking family support closer.
People with cancer and their families sometimes need counseling to overcome the emotional and practical aspects of the disease. The fundamental purpose of the psychologist, in this case, is to enhance the personological resources of the patient and her family to deal with common problems that arise during and after the treatment; such as pain, fatigue and fear, among others.
Family members should plan how to use their emotional and material resources in the best possible way to cope with the treatment and subsequent evolution of the disease. This includes converting fears and vulnerabilities (such as anxiety, fear of the unknown, guilt, mistrust, misinformation, finances and work) in positive visions that help maintain a lifestyle as normal as possible in the face of these new demands extraordinary.
At the same time, thefamily members must be prepared for changes that will happen in roles and relationships as a result of extensive treatment and hospitalization, as well as new social and emotional demands.
Let us also consider it important that the cancer patient not only accepts the disease but also understands it. To do this, you must be informed of the symptoms that arise and to what extent they are explained by the disease and the treatment. Compression of the disease It can help to dispel fears or fears.
In principle, fear of the unknown generates great concern and fear in the face of this disease; but this anguish can be minimized with correct information and always adapted to the patient and to the moment of the illness he is experiencing. Then, great cause for concern causes the patient her physical appearance and often this progressive physical deterioration generates great concern in the patient himself and the family. The evidence cannot be denied, but the patient must be helped to assume this progressive wear and tear.
In addition to putting the necessary means to control all those factors that influence this wear, it is convenient adapt life goals to that progressive limitation. The rhythm of life must be adapted with realism, but maintaining a desire to improve in everyday life and easily accessible.
Conclusions.
Let's reflect on the following ideas; the cancer patient who frequently tends to lose the desire to live he is, like all human beings, a being who has lived largely based on external values, other people's opinions, desires and sacrifices. His goal has been "success", understood as the achievement of those values and those opinions.
Like any human being, he has sometimes come into contradiction with his own self, suffering from anxiety, frustration, hopelessness and depression. Even more so when he is ill, you have to convey to him the need to take care of their own development, to follow his own path, to cultivate his own interior garden, to play his own melody ...
It is also our task that the patient hear again the voices of his own I of hers, those voices that say: "I like this... this does not... how someone else would like to do this... "That was the message that Socrates nailed to the door of his house:" Man, know yourself. " Although cancer is an important event for those who suffer from it, it brings with it an opportunity for growth.
The patient must be reminded that life is not static, but is a dynamic process of continuous search and growth. The point is that, although you have to choose a specific path, it matters to live and enjoy every step of it.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Oncological psychology: psychological treatment for cancer patients, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
Bibliography
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- Knapp, E. (2005), Psychology and Health
- Knapp Rodríguez, Elisa. Physiological and psychological mediators of Human Health.
- Roca Perara, M. A., (1998), Social Support: Its significance for human health.
- Roca, M. TO. (2000) Clinical Psychology; a general vision. Editorial "Félix Varela"
