I was diagnosed with Depression after my treatment ended last year. I was seen by Psychiatrist and Psychologist but not effective.
I believe I'm suffering from PTSD. I keep reliving the moments over and over again.
I have been struggling emotionally and mentally. My mood has been very low. I lost confidence in myself and have poor self esteem. I withdrew myself from others.
How do you cope with your mental health after treatment all these while?
Care to share?
Thanks.
You haven't found the right psychologist for you imo. Medication and finding the right therapist is a trial and error process. I have unrelated PTSD but if you'd like to drop me a message I'd be happy to help. Xx
Hi, I was diagnosed with depression and PTSD after my treatment too. If you don’t mind would you share a little backstory? Like stage and treatments so that I’m familiar with your story?
I have gotten better. But I have a scan on Monday for some issues so I have hella scanxiety!
I’ve had a terrible journey the last 5 years due to cancer and recurrence then the treatments.
I dealt with it reasonably well until last September when I was very unwell and now dealing with PTSD.
Same as you, in struggling. I dread the following day as I know it’s going to be to difficult and exhausting.
I’m on medication and seeing a counsellor but to no avail at the moment.
I have been suffering from ptsd too but emdr treatment helped me tremendously. I had therapy for about 1 year after treatment ( took much longer due to COVID) and it helped me immensely
Hi @Forest
So sorry to read about your mental health issues. Total empathy from me. I already had PTSD and other mental health conditions so I found my treatment exceptionally difficult, not the treatment itself per se but the invasion into my life and routine, the travel requirements, not feeling in control of my life and general stress and uncertainty. My GP just offered me antidepressants (despite my medical file stating very clearly that they’re not appropriate due to bad reaction and in fact making things worse, and despite me saying I wasn’t depressed but just extremely stressed). Eventually my MacMillan CNS referred me to Women’s Psych Services and I saw a consultant clinical psychologist immediately. Without a doubt I have found her more effective and helpful than all the previous mental health support I’ve ever had put together. She specialises in women with cancer diagnoses and the sessions are partly geared towards dealing with this and partly towards general issues.
Could you ask your local MacMillan service if there is a similar women’s psychological service attached to the oncology outpatients department you’re attending?
Xxxx
its good to talk…or is it. Not really sure. Finished radiotherapy and chemo in September last year. Was very poorly after brachytherapy but the hospital ignored my issues and discharged me. Have anxiety now which i think is directly related to anytime i have to have anything to do with the NHS.
Not ideal under the circumstances. Have been struggling of late and called my GP, his response was that he would expect me to have issues after what i had been through and that was that. Basically pull yourself together. This was last week and still feeling off but not much i can do. So disappointed in the NHS its unreal but nothing i can do.
