A finales de mayo, Mes de la Concienciación sobre la Salud Mental, parece un momento tan apropiado como cualquier otro para hablar de las ventajas de acudir a un terapeuta.
Even if you have a great support system of family and friends who are always happy to lend an ear, you may want to consider finding a mental health professional to further help you through this time. This applies whether you're currently going through treatment, are no evidence of disease (NED), have a parent or sibling diagnosed, or are a caregiver for a loved one with breast cancer.
Mental health professionals such as social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists are trained to help their people work through the spectrum of emotions you may be feeling- from the sadness and grief of a recent diagnosis, to the elation of your doctor declaring you cancer free, to the stress and fear of whether the cancer might recur or progress.
Muchos profesionales de la salud mental se especializan en trabajar con pacientes con experiencias especÃficas, por lo que encontrar un terapeuta especializado en el ámbito del cáncer puede ser especialmente útil. Los grupos de apoyo dirigidos por uno de estos profesionales de la salud mental pueden ser otra forma de acceder a la terapia y, al mismo tiempo, beneficiarse de la conexión con otros supervivientes de cáncer de mama.
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Even survivors of cancer who have no mental health symptoms are urged to reach out to a counselor who specializes in post-cancer care. Research shows that fewer than a third of cancer survivors talk about mental health issues with their doctors, even though they are at high risk for anxiety and depression. Talking to a counselor early on can help keep issues from getting serious. Read More.
Although serious depression is not seen in the majority of breast cancer patients and survivors, many will experience treatment-related distress, fear of recurrence, changes in body image, and sexuality. This paper discusses the importance of identifying the psychological and social concerns of breast cancer patients in the medical setting, and assisting them in obtaining appropriate psychosocial services. Read More.
Las parejas también pueden sufrir. En un estudio, por ejemplo, los hombres cuyas parejas fueron diagnosticadas de cáncer de mama tenÃan casi un 40% más de probabilidades que otros hombres de ser hospitalizados por depresión grave y otros trastornos del estado de ánimo.
Psychologists can help spouses manage the challenge of offering both emotional and practical support while dealing with their own feelings. Read More.
Hay varias formas de buscar ayuda para la salud mental. La elección de la más eficaz o útil puede basarse en las preferencias personales, el coste y la disponibilidad en la comunidad.
This article breaks down how social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists each use different approaches to help their patients with their mental health challenges, and may differ in cost and insurance coverage eligibility. Read More.