Depression affects 20% of people suffering with cancer, whilst anxiety affects a further 10%.*

As a cancer patient, you may develop depression and anxiety for a variety of reasons, including concerns over your diagnosis, the pain you’re experiencing, your family history of depression or other mental health issues, the number of outside stressors you’re facing and how much support you’re getting from the people around you. Maybe cancer treatment is changing your body in ways you don’t like.

Depression in cancer sufferers not only affects the patients themselves, but also has a major negative impact on their families.

There are certain types of cancer, such as lung and pancreatic, which release chemicals which are thought to cause depressive symptoms. Treatments for cancer can be difficult and certain types such as chemotherapy and corticosteroids have been linked with causing depression.

Dr Nikhila Desphande, Founder and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Tranquil TMS, explains common symptoms of clinical depression which you should look out for:

  • A sense of hopelessness
  • A lack of interest in activities you typically enjoy
  • Insomnia (disrupted sleep) or “hypersomnia” (excessive sleeping) and ongoing fatigue
  • Irritability and difficulty with concentration and/or memory
  • Significant, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, or changes in appetite
  • Suicidal thoughts or feelings, or recurrent thoughts of death

Dr Desphande adds: “If you have any symptoms of depression, seek out a licensed mental health professional to help you work through your emotions.

“At Tranquil TMS, we offer non-invasive treatment for anxiety and depression, which means that there is no medication involved. This is really important for cancer patients as anti-depressants can in some cases interact with chemotherapy agents and worsen existing cancer symptoms.”

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or rTMS treatment is covered by a number of insurance companies and is NICE and FDA approved.

For more information or to book a free telephone consultation with one of our specialists please call 0800 193 0914 or visit https://www.tranquiltms.co.uk/contact-us/

 

References:

*https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1415