Feelings of sadness or despair are common when a person receives a diagnosis of cancer. The key is whether those feelings eventually subside enough so that the person can return to daily activities and incorporate care and treatment into a regular schedule. Anyone who has difficulty adjusting to the diagnosis after a long period of time and loses interest in regular activities may be suffering from depression.
Counseling can often help a person to feel better. Good communication among family members is important, too. When loved ones can share their fears and concerns and work together to face situations and solve problems, both the patient and the family tend to avoid depression.
If a cancer patient is severely depressed, more treatment may be necessary. Psychiatric therapies—whether individual or group—can help to ease the feelings of depression. Patients can learn ways to lower distress, improve coping and problem-solving skills, enlist support, change negative and self-defeating thoughts and develop a close personal bond with an understanding health care provider. Talking with a clergy member is also helpful for some people.
Cancer support groups are another great way to work through depression.
Major depression may require counseling along with drugs such as antidepressants.