Psychological Impact of Living with Peritoneal Tumours Anne Crook Counsellor / Psychotherapist Psycho-oncology The Christie NHS Foundation Trust Michele Angelo Petrone
Impact of cancer and treatment
Living with the challenges Physical Mental Vulnerability Loss of control Future
Sense of self
Adjustment is a process
Distress Continuum SELF CARE & SOCIAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL CARE HEALTHY Normal functioning REACTING Adjustment process INJURED Impaired functioning ILL Clinical disorder
Normal Protective Threat focused Anxiety Normal Protective Threat focused
Fight or Flight
What is Anxiety? Excessive worry, fear, dread Restlessness Physical symptoms: Fast heartbeat Shortness of breath Muscle tension Light headed Nausea, butterflies in stomach Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, decision-making
Living with Uncertainty Inevitable Fuels anxiety & fear Irritable, angry, frustrated Worry Difficult to make plans
Coping with worry Talk to someone Write it out Counselling / CBT Do something else Mindfulness Problem solve
What is Depression? Low mood on most days Loss of interest / enjoyment Increasing irritability Easily moved to tears Feeling slowed down Thinking life not worth living
When should I seek help? When day to day activities are affected by these symptoms or experiences
Support from others
Impact on relationships 1 out of 3 - strain on relationships 4 out of 10 - sex life suffered Macmillan (2006)
The cancer survivor's companion The cancer survivor's companion. Practical ways to cope with your feelings after cancer Frances Goodhart, Lucy Atkins 2013, Piatkus
It helps to … Talk Ask Be physically active Make plans, set goals Problem solve Be kind to yourself Give yourself time
Who am I now? What have I learnt from this? What do I want for myself now? Opportunity?
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Maya Angelou
Questions?