Mental Health and Support Resources for Prostate Cancer A prostate cancer diagnosis is a very emotional time for you and your loved ones. Learn how to manage these emotions and find resources that can help. Jump To Jump To Tips for Coping Mental Health Support Resources for Crises Articles It is normal to experience a wide range of emotions if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Many of these emotions fade over time, but some may develop into clinical depression, intense anxiety, or panic.Anxiety is unease, fear, and dread caused by stress. Studies show that nearly half of all patients with cancer say they feel some anxiety and about 25% of cancer patients say they feel a great deal of anxiety.Depression is a mood disorder in which persistent feelings of sadness interfere with the ability to participate in normal activities.Depression or anxiety not only impact your quality of life, but they can adversely affect your ability to participate actively in treatments. For these reasons, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends cancer patients be screened for anxiety and depression.If you’d like to learn more information about depression, stress, or anxiety you can read this Prostatepedia issue on Stress, Depression, and Prostate Cancer. Play Video Close Managing Anxiety and Depression in the World of Prostate Cancer Anxiety and depression are extremely common in all those battling a cancer diagnosis but can be especially challenging among those diagnosed with prostate cancer. Dr. Andrew Roth presents tips on managing anxiety and depression as well as how to communicate these challenges with your loved ones and care team. How can I manage depression and emotional distress? Recognizing and learning to cope with anxiety and depression are important in the effective management of living with prostate cancer. Talk to your healthcare team if you think you are depressed or experiencing emotional distress. If left untreated, depression and anxiety can impact your quality of life. Treating mental health is as important as treating your physical body.Here are some tips for coping. Expand All Accept your fears It is common to experience some fear about your diagnosis and, once you complete treatment, your cancer recurring. Telling yourself not to worry or criticizing yourself for being afraid won’t make these feelings go away. Accept that you are going to experience some fear and focus on finding ways to help yourself manage the anxiety.It may also help to remember that the fear usually lessens over time, and that you won’t always feel so anxious. Your anxiety may temporarily increase at certain times, such as before appointments, around the anniversary date of your diagnosis, or if a friend is diagnosed with cancer. Don't worry alone Talking about your fears and feelings or writing down your thoughts in a journal can help reduce your anxiety. Talking and thinking about your concerns can help you explore the issues underlying your fear. Some fears include a fear of having to repeat cancer treatment, losing control of your life, or facing death. Join a support group or mentorship program Support groups offer the chance to share feelings and fears with others who understand, as well as to exchange practical information and helpful suggestions. Adopt a healthy lifestyle Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep helps you feel better physically and emotionally. Adopting a healthy lifestyle will also lower your chances of developing other health problems. Reduce stress Finding ways to lower your stress will help lower your overall level of anxiety. Experiment with different ways of reducing stress to find out what works best for you. Despite your best efforts to stay well, you may find yourself overwhelmed by fear or recurrent thoughts of illness. If in doubt, talk with your doctor or nurse and consider a referral for counseling. Consider counseling It can help with: Being worried or anxious most of the time.Connecting with your partner due to ongoing side effects from treatment.Feeling hopeless about your future.Having trouble sleeping or eating well.Not participating in activities you used to enjoy.Having trouble concentrating or making decisions.Being unusually forgetful. Resources for mental health support Sometimes the best medicine is to talk to someone else who has gone through what you are facing. Many prostate cancer survivors find invaluable information and perspective from others who have “been there.” There are several organizations that offer support groups in person, by phone, and online Help and support for people impacted by prostate cancer ZERO's UsTOO Support Groups Our UsTOO Support groups offer free support for the prostate cancer journey to patients and their loved ones. ZERO's MENtor Program Our MENtor program pairs prostate cancer patients with survivors to help patients connect with someone who has been through this disease and treatments. ZERO360 Helpline Our ZERO360 comprehensive helpline, can provide referrals to appropriate emotional and psychosocial support services. CancerCare CancerCare offers online, telephone, and face-to-face support groups. Cancer Support Community Cancer Support Community offers face-to-face and online support groups. Hospital and care team resources Your local hospital or other agencies in your area may offer support groups. Many times an oncology social worker can direct you to the right resources. Resources for self-harm and suicide If you, or someone you know, is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please use the resources below. These crisis lines are staffed with professionals that are ready to help. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Available 24/7 Dial 988 Crisis Text Line Available 24/7 Text HOME to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free The NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Can be reached Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org Articles on mental health and prostate cancer Managing Anxiety and Depression in the World of Prostate Cancer Coping with anxiety and depression during prostate cancer? Dr. Roth gives some practical tips on how to discuss solutions with your treatment team. A Forum for Her: Part 2 | Support Group Members on Challenges, Treatment Decisions, and More A Forum for Her: Part 1 | Support Group Members on Caregiving, Self-Care, and More November 2023 - ZEROHour Prostate Cancer Newsletter A Statement From ZERO Prostate Cancer
It is normal to experience a wide range of emotions if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Many of these emotions fade over time, but some may develop into clinical depression, intense anxiety, or panic.Anxiety is unease, fear, and dread caused by stress. Studies show that nearly half of all patients with cancer say they feel some anxiety and about 25% of cancer patients say they feel a great deal of anxiety.Depression is a mood disorder in which persistent feelings of sadness interfere with the ability to participate in normal activities.Depression or anxiety not only impact your quality of life, but they can adversely affect your ability to participate actively in treatments. For these reasons, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends cancer patients be screened for anxiety and depression.If you’d like to learn more information about depression, stress, or anxiety you can read this Prostatepedia issue on Stress, Depression, and Prostate Cancer.
Play Video Close Managing Anxiety and Depression in the World of Prostate Cancer Anxiety and depression are extremely common in all those battling a cancer diagnosis but can be especially challenging among those diagnosed with prostate cancer. Dr. Andrew Roth presents tips on managing anxiety and depression as well as how to communicate these challenges with your loved ones and care team.
How can I manage depression and emotional distress? Recognizing and learning to cope with anxiety and depression are important in the effective management of living with prostate cancer. Talk to your healthcare team if you think you are depressed or experiencing emotional distress. If left untreated, depression and anxiety can impact your quality of life. Treating mental health is as important as treating your physical body.Here are some tips for coping. Expand All Accept your fears It is common to experience some fear about your diagnosis and, once you complete treatment, your cancer recurring. Telling yourself not to worry or criticizing yourself for being afraid won’t make these feelings go away. Accept that you are going to experience some fear and focus on finding ways to help yourself manage the anxiety.It may also help to remember that the fear usually lessens over time, and that you won’t always feel so anxious. Your anxiety may temporarily increase at certain times, such as before appointments, around the anniversary date of your diagnosis, or if a friend is diagnosed with cancer. Don't worry alone Talking about your fears and feelings or writing down your thoughts in a journal can help reduce your anxiety. Talking and thinking about your concerns can help you explore the issues underlying your fear. Some fears include a fear of having to repeat cancer treatment, losing control of your life, or facing death. Join a support group or mentorship program Support groups offer the chance to share feelings and fears with others who understand, as well as to exchange practical information and helpful suggestions. Adopt a healthy lifestyle Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep helps you feel better physically and emotionally. Adopting a healthy lifestyle will also lower your chances of developing other health problems. Reduce stress Finding ways to lower your stress will help lower your overall level of anxiety. Experiment with different ways of reducing stress to find out what works best for you. Despite your best efforts to stay well, you may find yourself overwhelmed by fear or recurrent thoughts of illness. If in doubt, talk with your doctor or nurse and consider a referral for counseling. Consider counseling It can help with: Being worried or anxious most of the time.Connecting with your partner due to ongoing side effects from treatment.Feeling hopeless about your future.Having trouble sleeping or eating well.Not participating in activities you used to enjoy.Having trouble concentrating or making decisions.Being unusually forgetful.
Resources for mental health support Sometimes the best medicine is to talk to someone else who has gone through what you are facing. Many prostate cancer survivors find invaluable information and perspective from others who have “been there.” There are several organizations that offer support groups in person, by phone, and online Help and support for people impacted by prostate cancer ZERO's UsTOO Support Groups Our UsTOO Support groups offer free support for the prostate cancer journey to patients and their loved ones. ZERO's MENtor Program Our MENtor program pairs prostate cancer patients with survivors to help patients connect with someone who has been through this disease and treatments. ZERO360 Helpline Our ZERO360 comprehensive helpline, can provide referrals to appropriate emotional and psychosocial support services. CancerCare CancerCare offers online, telephone, and face-to-face support groups. Cancer Support Community Cancer Support Community offers face-to-face and online support groups. Hospital and care team resources Your local hospital or other agencies in your area may offer support groups. Many times an oncology social worker can direct you to the right resources.
Resources for self-harm and suicide If you, or someone you know, is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please use the resources below. These crisis lines are staffed with professionals that are ready to help. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Available 24/7 Dial 988 Crisis Text Line Available 24/7 Text HOME to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free The NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Can be reached Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org
Articles on mental health and prostate cancer Managing Anxiety and Depression in the World of Prostate Cancer Coping with anxiety and depression during prostate cancer? Dr. Roth gives some practical tips on how to discuss solutions with your treatment team. A Forum for Her: Part 2 | Support Group Members on Challenges, Treatment Decisions, and More A Forum for Her: Part 1 | Support Group Members on Caregiving, Self-Care, and More November 2023 - ZEROHour Prostate Cancer Newsletter A Statement From ZERO Prostate Cancer
