Treating Mental Health Issues In Those With Physical Illnesses

Serious and life threatening medical conditions such as cancer or AIDS will alter someone's whole way of life

. Most people are unaware, however, that along with the lifestyle changes such conditions bring, many patients also experience mental health issues like depression and/or anxiety. While coping with such mental disorders patients may endure strained relationships with their families and loved ones, which jeopardize their quality of life. And if doctors and families fail to detect the symptoms, many end up struggling with these hidden conditions alone.

Medical management of cancer, for instance, has improved significantly in recent years, but mental health care has not yet been fully integrated into most treatment plans. Yet it's this very depression that can sap the energy needed to win back one's health. Some conditions such as HIV have even been found to be accelerated by such emotional bouts. And since emotional pain can sometimes affect one's health as much as physical pain, it's extremely important to diagnose mental disorders when they occur. Proper treatment with behavioral therapy promotes a healthy approach to life that not only serves as a source of strength fighting the disease, but improves quality of life.

One of the greatest obstacles to such treatment is diagnosis. A recent study also showed that less than half of patients with advanced cancer receive treatment for their mental health concerns. In part, this was because oncologists failed to recognize the symptoms as separate from the cancer itself. Patients too, often fail to take seriously the impact poor mental health has on their physical bodies and never seek treatment. Increased anxiety, disturbed sleep, and frequent mood swings are all serious signs to watch for.

There are several types of therapy that offer guidance to those suffering from depression or anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, is highly instructive in nature and focus on personal change. Patients learn how to think differently and make changes on their own. Many people with anxiety disorders also benefit from having a therapist whose primary role is to listen and suggest new ways of reacting to situations.

Group therapy works in a similar way but differs in that it fosters a bond between those suffering from the same anxiety or depression. For some, it can be more challenging to open up directly to a therapist than in the presence of those who've had the same experience. But whatever treatment best suits the individual, addressing mental illness is an integral component to speed a patient to a healthy recovery.

by: Stephen Daniels

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