{"id":25368,"date":"2024-08-09T12:11:16","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T16:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?p=25368"},"modified":"2024-10-14T13:41:46","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T17:41:46","slug":"mental-health-and-mesothelioma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/blog\/mental-health-and-mesothelioma\/","title":{"rendered":"How Mesothelioma Affects Your Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">Mesothelioma<\/a> is an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. When patients receive a cancer diagnosis, it can be hard to stay positive.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers are only now beginning to examine the complex relationship between physical and mental health.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, a team of <strong>doctors from the University of Sheffield<\/strong> set out to analyze the mental health and well-being of those living with mesothelioma as well as the caregivers supporting them through it.<\/p>\n<h2>What the Study Team Found<\/h2>\n<p>The researchers who conducted the study concluded that mental health is a major area of concern for mesothelioma patients and caregivers.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cAll patients have different feelings or approaches toward receiving bad news, and that can have an impact on how favorable or unfavorable the prognosis is,\u201d said <a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/dr-matthew-steliga\/\">Dr. Matthew Steliga<\/a>, a leading mesothelioma specialist.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>They observed distinct changes related to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anxiety<\/li>\n<li>Depression<\/li>\n<li>Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)<\/li>\n<li>Posttraumatic growth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The team stressed that people impacted by mesothelioma need better support methods to address these unique challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Our <strong>Free Mesothelioma Guide<\/strong> offers valuable insights and resources to help patients and their families navigate this journey \u2014 request it now and it will be shipped to your doorstep overnight.<\/p>\n<h2>Anxiety and Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<p>Half of the 96 study participants reported anxiety. The high levels of anxiety show the mental effects of mesothelioma that impact patients and those who care for them.<\/p>\n<p>Specifically, participants discussed a type of fear known as \u201c<strong>scanxiety,\u201d<\/strong> which is the worry they felt while waiting for the results of <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/imaging-scans\/\">imaging scans<\/a>. The worry of the cancer spreading or returning was a major source of stress for patients and their loved ones.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cMy heart sank. As soon as you Google it, the thing that comes up is \u2018incurable, incurable,\u2019\u201d said Crystal, a mesothelioma caregiver in the study.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Over 33% of patients and caregivers also experienced PTSD,<\/strong> with symptoms such as flashbacks, dissociation, and avoidance behaviors.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re facing mesothelioma as a patient or caregiver, seeking out <a href=\"\/resources\/support-groups\/\">support groups<\/a> can help you find someone to talk to and make you feel less alone.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Julie-img.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;That is what I would share with anyone with a serious chronic disease \u2014 never give up hope and <strong>remember that your life is yours, not the disease\u2019s.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Julie Gundlach, 18+ year mesothelioma survivor<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<h2>Depression and Mesothelioma<\/h2>\n<p>Depression after a mesothelioma diagnosis was common. <strong>Over 30% <\/strong>of the study participants reported clinical levels of <a href=\"\/resources\/depression\/\">depression<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/diagnosis\/\">being diagnosed with mesothelioma<\/a> is often perceived as a \u201cdeath sentence,\u201d leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201c[My husband] might have only died 2 years ago, but he died 4 years ago in my eyes. The day he found out, he changed,\u201d said Laura, a mesothelioma caregiver in the study.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Patients &amp; caregivers were profoundly affected when they imagined:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An anticipated decline in their quality of life<\/li>\n<li>Their expected <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/prognosis\/\">prognosis<\/a> (overall health outlook)<\/li>\n<li>Limited time left to spend with loved ones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cI\u2019ve had the <a href=\"\/treatment\/\">treatment<\/a>, I\u2019ve done whatever, but it\u2019s now, this year, it\u2019s this reality now\u2026I\u2019m going to die. <strong>That\u2019s the truth, out loud, and it\u2019s hit me,<\/strong>\u201d said Ray, a mesothelioma patient in the study.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Both patients and caregivers faced considerable disruptions to their daily lives, including challenges performing normal activities, managing pain, and dealing with ongoing uncertainty about the future. These factors worsened feelings of depression.<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p>Need <a href=\"\/resources\/emotional-support\/\">emotional support<\/a> after a mesothelioma diagnosis? Call <strong><a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a><\/strong> to connect with one of our compassionate Patient Advocates.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Posttraumatic Growth<\/h2>\n<p>Researchers introduced what they called \u201cposttraumatic growth\u201d (PTG), finding it to be crucial to the journey of mesothelioma patients and their caregivers.<\/p>\n<p>Posttraumatic growth refers to <strong>positive psychological changes<\/strong> experienced as a result of struggling with a mesothelioma diagnosis. In the study, over 35% of patients reported experiencing PTG, demonstrating significant personal development.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWe\u2019re obviously stronger in certain ways as well. How we\u2019ve coped with it really well. Given the patience we\u2019ve had to have and <strong>optimism in the face of the unknown<\/strong>. We are getting on with things,\u201d said Jenny, a mesothelioma patient in the study.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>PTG was observed in several ways, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A greater appreciation of life<\/li>\n<li>Improved relationships with others<\/li>\n<li>New possibilities for their lives<\/li>\n<li>Personal strength<\/li>\n<li>Spiritual growth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Patients and caregivers reported that the challenge of dealing with mesothelioma led them to value their relationships more deeply, cherish each moment, and find new strengths within themselves. Some even developed a renewed sense of purpose or meaning in life.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThis last 18 months of my life has been really good, probably better than it would have been without a disease, because <strong>I\u2019ve done more and I\u2019ve been more positive<\/strong>, and so have my friends and family,\u201d said Susan, a mesothelioma patient in the study.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Overall, the study stressed that health care professionals should try to foster PTG feelings in patients and caregivers to help counter their emotional and psychological challenges.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt makes me realize these things can come out of the blue no matter how healthy and fit you are. I think you don\u2019t take anything for granted these days as a family,\u201d said one caregiver.<\/p>\n<h2>Mental Health Impacts on Mesothelioma Caregivers<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"\/resources\/caregivers\/\">Mesothelioma caregivers<\/a> face similar yet unique mental health challenges, experiencing intense worry and stress from watching their loved one suffer, tending to their health care needs, and juggling demands on their time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The study found that caregivers:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Had more anxiety than patients<\/li>\n<li>Experienced worse depression<\/li>\n<li>Often neglected their own needs<\/li>\n<li>Showed significant PTG<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Caregivers often find themselves in the position of internally grieving the loss of their loved one as they knew them while putting on a brave face \u2014 potentially bottling up emotions to stay strong.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cHe just didn\u2019t want to know that he was dying. So, we just\u2026not kept it from him but <strong>we took the brunt,<\/strong>\u201d said Natasha, a mesothelioma caregiver in the study.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Researchers recommend that caregivers seek out targeted support aimed at their specific stressors.<\/p>\n<p>Download our <strong><a href=\"\/caregivers-guide\/\">Free Mesothelioma Caregivers Guide<\/a> <\/strong>to get practical tips and advice that can help you prioritize your well-being.<\/p>\n<div data-vqueid=\"18718\" class=\"widget widget_oscar-vque outline image-left has-img\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"outline\">.widget_oscar-vque.outline{margin:60px auto;max-width:315px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline:first-child{margin-top:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a{border:1px solid #E6E7EC;padding:20px;box-shadow:0 20px 20px rgba(34,34,34,0.03);border-radius:10px;color:#383441;display:block;text-decoration:none}.widget_oscar-vque.outline img{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:180px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline .vque-content{color:#383441;font-size:16px;text-align:center}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.subheading{color:#100134;display:block;line-height:1;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:5px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.heading{color:#100134;font-size:20px;display:block;margin:0 0 20px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;margin:15px auto 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;font-display:swap;speak:none;color:#fff;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e904\";border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:3px;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.button.arrow{width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a{position:relative;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #fff 100%)}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.widget_oscar-vque.outline{max-width:620px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline img{max-width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a{padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a>div{display:block;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:flex-end;flex-direction:row-reverse}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a>div>div{width:41%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a .vque-content{width:59%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.subheading{font-size:16px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.heading{font-size:24px;margin:0 0 13px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul{max-width:none}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.button.arrow{width:auto}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div{display:block;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div:first-child{width:27%;padding:30px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div.vque-content{width:73%;padding-left:0;color:#383441}}<\/style><a href=\"\/caregivers-guide\/\" title=\"Free Self-Care for Caregivers Guide\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Free Self-Care for Caregivers Guide Ad\" data-desktop-image=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/caregivers-ipad-1.png\"><div><div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"95\" height=\"144\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/caregivers-ipad-1.png\" class=\"attachment-Medium size-Medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"Caregivers support guide\" \/><\/div><div class=\"vque-content\"><strong class=\"heading\">Free Self-Care for Caregivers Guide<\/strong><ul>\n<li>Daily self-care checklist<\/li>\n<li>Tips to prevent burnout<\/li>\n<li>Support group resources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"button yellow arrow\" title=\"Download Your Self-Care Guide\">Download Your Self-Care Guide<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Get the Personalized Care &amp; Support You Need<\/h2>\n<p>At Mesothelioma Hope, our team understands the impact this challenging cancer can have on your health, your overall well-being, and your family \u2014 and <strong>we\u2019re here for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Our nurses and Patient Advocates can:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lend a caring ear to help you manage the mental health impacts of a diagnosis<\/li>\n<li>Recommend in-person or online support groups and peer mentor programs<\/li>\n<li>Help you make travel arrangements to and from appointments<\/li>\n<li>Connect you with mesothelioma doctors and mental health professionals<\/li>\n<li>Share <a href=\"\/resources\/financial\/\">financial resources<\/a> that can help you and your loved ones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jenna-tozzi.png\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;To effectively manage my own care as a young adult, I had to become my own best advocate. Understanding how daunting this can be has given me <strong>the drive to empower others<\/strong> to help overcome their health care obstacles.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Jenna Tozzi, RN, Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">Contact our team right now<\/a> \u2014 we\u2019re standing by to answer your questions and make sure you feel heard and supported.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. When patients receive a cancer diagnosis, it can be hard to stay positive. Researchers are only now beginning to examine the complex relationship between physical and mental health. Recently, a team of doctors from the University of Sheffield set out to analyze the mental health&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":25369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[271],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25368"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25368\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}