The emotional effects of chemotherapy can be just as debilitating as the physical effects. From the initial diagnosis of cancer to the final dose of chemotherapy, patients undergo levels of emotional distress well beyond a healthy limit. The emotional effects of chemotherapy can be directly related to the medication or to external factors such as family, work and social life. The range of emotional distress felt by patients depends a lot on their particular support network, their rate of recovery and whether the hospital combines chemotherapy with psychosocial counseling. Emotions run high for the whole family during chemotherapy and this creates a feedback loop that can go in a positive or a negative direction.
Emotions and Recovery
Chemotherapy can have an emotional impact on patients because the treatment itself is a sign of emotional self-preservation. The choice to fight cancer does not end with the first dose of the medication and patients often feel emotionally taxed when recovery is slow. The physical side effects can contribute significantly to emotional distress. Insomnia, constant nausea, weight loss, hair loss and a diminished sex life can all make a patient feel emotionally distraught. The American Cancer Society suggests that combining chemotherapy with psychosocial therapy can help in alleviating emotional distress significantly. Patients may seek out a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist, a social worker, a sex therapist or a member of the clergy.
Family, Friends and Work
Chemotherapy also affects patients because of a perceived burden of loss on family, friends and work. Patients may feel isolated from participating in family activities due to fatigue and medical appointments. Social life is also dramatically affected by chemotherapy due to fatigue and often shame. Patients may especially feel emotionally distressed from chemotherapy because of having to take a medical leave of absence. Some employers may not have the flexibility to allow a rehire after recovery and this can further add to emotional distress. Chemo Ready, an online chemotherapy resource, states that some of the classical negative emotions during chemotherapy include anger, fear, anxiety, depression and isolation. The emotional distress from chemotherapy may come from a sense of not having any control over the matter. Chemo Ready suggests taking control through psycho-education, using support services, talking with others who have been through chemotherapy, keeping a journal and exploring spiritual or faith-based outlets.
The Emotional Cognitive Connection
Cognitive function and emotional health are strongly interconnected and chemotherapy can take a serious toll on both of them. In some cases, emotional distress can affect cognitive function, while in other cases, impaired cognition can alter judgment and emotional responses. In the July 2008 issue of "Neurology Reviews," Janis Kelly found that 82 percent of breast cancer patients report some form of cognitive impairment usually associated with fatigue, depression and anxiety. Kelly reported that chemotherapy has demonstrated neurotoxic effects on essential central nervous system components. Even several months after treatment has stopped, many patients report cognitive impairments that affect daily tasks. Emotional regulation is strongly mediated by healthy cognitive function because it allows us to form meaningful memories. Cognitive health also allows us to effectively communicate emotions through language.
References
- American Cancer Society: Thoughts, Emotions and Chemotherapy
- Chemo Ready: Understanding the Emotional Impact of Chemotherapy
- Neurology Reviews: Cognitive Side Effects of Chemotherapy May Be Attributable to CNS Damage
- Cancer: Prospective Assessment of Emotional Distress, Cognitive Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy
- "Cancer Care"; The Social and Emotional Toll of Chemotherapy -- Patients' Perspectives; Dr. Theresa Mitchell; July 2006
