The recovery from an illness is enhanced by a positive attitude, which promotes hope - the most important ingredient for a patient's will to live. The plan is to promote coping skills to help maintain will to live, faith and courage. This may assist patients and families to adjust to the chronic mental stress and potential depression from cancer. Pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic drugs may also help reduce symptoms. Complementary techniques such as biofeedback, visualization techniques and guided imagery sessions also assist with stress reduction.
Depression has multiple causes and plays a major role in fatigue.
Many patients may be reluctant to talk about their feelings. Just as is the case for those without cancer, often patients do not recognize the symptoms of depression or anxiety such as sleep disturbance or irritability. These people may be able to offer or suggest complementary forms of treatment for stress reduction. Options include meditation, yoga, self-hypnosis, biofeedback, acupressure massage, tai chi or Qi Gong. Any number of people can serve as your sounding board.