.png)
Introductory:
Stomach cancer is not only a health disorder but a burdening predicament to the family unit and loved ones as well. It is hard to imagine the emotional, mental, and physical tortures of living with stomach cancer, but there are healing methods and people who can help so that it is not so bad. In this blog, we will focus on the various aspects of stomach cancer and how patients and families are able to cope with these aspects, in particular focussing on the emotional and mental support aspects.
The emotional aspect of the diagnosis
It is normal for patients and their families to experience such feelings, especially given the unpredictability that comes with cancer at such stages. However, it is equally important to acknowledge these feelings and address them in a healthy manner.
At least in part, this can be achieved through the outlet of emotion or feeling. Talking to a partner or a friend, keeping a diary, or attending a therapist or support group where emotions are shared greatly reduces tension and worry about what might come. The most important aspect to note is that there are a variety of ways to feel, and none of them are ''wrong'—cancer is an experience that differs from one individual to the next, including their feelings about it.
For the family members, being the greatest support is not easy and brings its share of emotional baggage. Especially with family carers, they must look after their own mental health with an emotional outlet and professional assistance when the problem arises.
Psychological defense mechanisms
Patients suffer from a number of other feelings, such as weakness or even depression; therefore, they need to employ mental coping strategies in order to avoid harm to the state of their psyche.
Mindfulness and meditation: mindfulness enables individuals to focus on what they can control and avoid worrying about treatment-facilitated outcomes of cancer, the latter of which can be overwhelming.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): Cancer patients have had notable success with CBT. This is achieved by re-adjusting a distorted cognitive schema to a more adaptive and positive one. Patients that have episodes of depression or seem to be constantly worried may find it beneficial to attend CBT sessions with a qualified psychotherapist.
Setting realistic goals: It doesn’t matter whether the goal is as simple as taking a short walk or attending a physician’s appointment or reading a book; such targets, either daily or weekly, help the patients in a way that they have something to look forward to in a positive way.
Strategies for physical and emotional coping with cancer
Nutrition and diet: Depending on the stage of cancer and treatment plan, stomach cancer patients might be required to see a nutritionist and work out special meals for them. Eating small but more regular portions of nutritious meals containing vitamins, minerals, and proteins helps reinforce energy levels during treatment.
Exercise: Light stretches, walking, yoga, and other forms of light exercise can enhance the overall well-being of an individual. Physical activity has been found to uplift spirits and energy levels while decreasing tiredness.
Pain management: Pain is also a common feature of stomach cancer, especially towards the late stages. The treatments available for this symptom include opioids, physiotherapy, and acupuncture.
The importance of emotional support
Perhaps the most relieving factor from the stress caused by cancer is talking to others in the same situation.
Support groups: Cancer patients and their carers can easily join support groups and use them as forums to communicate, ask for help, and feel relieved that they are not the only ones in that position. Such irradiated people support groups enable people adrift in the cancer constellation to make contact with others who have shared the visceral and psychological ache of stomach cancer.
Counselling and therapy: Specialised counselling can be beneficial for the patient as well as the family members. Cancer care professionals, such as counsellors and therapists, know how stressful it is for a person once they have been diagnosed, and so they provide patients with tools to manage the stress.
Assistance in dealing with issues of mental health:
Macmillan Cancer Support: This is aimed at helping patients diagnosed with cancer and their relatives or carers not only in a practical way but also through emotional assistance. This would therefore include counselling support groups and mental health resources in the UK and even out.
Cancer research UK: It gives constructive ways of keeping mental wellness during the treatment, such as how to train the brain, practicing mindfulness, and seeking help from experts.
Marie Curie supports families and provides care for the terminally ill, especially cancer patients. This includes offering family therapy, hospice care, and counselling support services.
In addition to these national organisations, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the World Cancer Research Fund, and the Duke Cancer Institute offer additional integrated population health and cancer mental health services from each of their multidisciplinary trained programs.
Family coping
Educating family: Families are better able to support their loved one with stomach cancer when they are aware of the psychological and physical effects of the disease. Understanding dietary restrictions, being aware of the patient's energy levels, and learning about the side effects of treatments are all part of this.
Looking for Help: Family therapy can enhance relationships where internal conflict exists between the patient and his or her family by providing a safe space for all parties to express themselves. And just as the patients do, so also can the family members seek professional help in relation to their problems, for example, what it entails to manage the expectations of a family member seeking treatment for cancer.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, it is stomach cancer that is one of the most difficult diseases to cope with, but patients and their relatives do not bear it alone. Psychological, emotional, and physical networks are essential in helping everyone handle the situation surrounding this illness and what comes after. There are such mechanisms as support groups, mindfulness, and many more that can help endure the complexities of life lived with stomach cancer.
It is highly likely that you will need emotional reassurance, so do consult someone, be it a counsellor, a support group, or even a family member. It takes a lot of effort and determination to deal with this disease, and with the help of appropriate resources, patients as well as their carers can take courage in this battle.
Comments