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Treatment
Effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are long-lasting and serious. It may affect the patient's ability to have a normal lifestyle and may interfere with personal relationships, education, and employment. Because avoiding places and persons associated with cancer is part of PTSD, the syndrome may prevent the patient from seeking medical treatment. It is important that cancer survivors receive information about the possible psychological effects of their cancer experience and early treatment of symptoms of PTSD. Therapies used to treat PTSD are those used for other trauma victims. Treatment may involve more than one type of therapy.
The crisis intervention method tries to lessen the symptoms and return the patient
to a normal level of functioning. The therapist focuses on solving
problems, teaching coping skills, and providing a supportive setting for the
patient.
Some patients are helped by methods that teach them to change their behaviors by changing their thinking patterns. Some of these methods
include helping the patient understand symptoms, teaching coping and stress management skills (such as relaxation training), teaching the patient to reword upsetting thoughts, and
helping the patient become less sensitive to upsetting triggers. Behavior therapy is
used when the symptoms are avoidance of sexual activity and intimate
situations.
Support groups may also help people who experience post-traumatic stress
symptoms. In the group setting, patients can receive emotional support, meet
others with similar experiences and symptoms, and learn coping and management
skills.
For patients with severe symptoms, medications may be used. These include antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and when necessary, antipsychotic
medications.
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Glossary Terms
antidepressant (AN-tee-dee-PREH-sunt)
A drug used to treat depression.
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for
diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and
can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to
other parts of the body through the blood and lymph
systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma
is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line
or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in
bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other
connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that
starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and
causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced
and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are
cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in
the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.
coping skills (KOH-ping skilz)
The methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations. These may help a person face a situation, take action, and be flexible and persistent in solving problems.
crisis intervention (KRY-sis IN-ter-VEN-shun)
Immediate, short-term counseling (talking with a professional counselor) to stop a critical emotional incident (e.g., attempted suicide or drug overdose) from getting worse. Crisis intervention is not meant to solve the problem that led up to the crisis.
medication (MEH-dih-KAY-shun)
A legal drug that is used to prevent, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.
post-traumatic stress disorder (POST-traw-MA-tik stres dis-OR-der)
An anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, such as military combat, violent assault, natural disaster, or other life-threatening events. Having cancer may also lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms interfere with day-to-day living and include reliving the event in nightmares or flashbacks; avoiding people, places, and things connected to the event; feeling alone and losing interest in daily activities; and having trouble concentrating and sleeping. Also called PTSD.
psychological (SY-koh-LAH-jih-kul)
Having to do with how the mind works and how thoughts and feelings affect behavior.
relaxation technique
A method used to reduce tension and anxiety, and control pain.
stress
The response of the body to physical, mental, or emotional pressure. This may make a person feel frustrated, angry, or anxious, and may cause unhealthy chemical changes in the body. Untreated, long-term stress may lead to many types of mental and physical health problems.
support group
A group of people with similar disease who meet to discuss how better to cope with their disease and treatment.
survivor (ser-VY-ver)
One who remains alive and continues to function during and after overcoming a serious hardship or life-threatening disease. In cancer, a person is considered to be a survivor from the time of diagnosis until the end of life.
symptom
An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.
syndrome (SIN-drome)
A set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain disease or an increased chance of developing the disease.
therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment.
trauma (TRAW-muh)
Injury to the body, or an event that causes long-lasting mental or emotional damage.
trigger (TRIH-ger)
In medicine, a specific event that starts a process or that causes a particular outcome. For example, chemotherapy, painful treatments, or the smells, sounds, and sights that go with them may trigger anxiety and fear in a patient who has cancer. In allergies, exposure to mold, pollen or dust may trigger sneezing, watery eyes, and coughing.
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