A diagnosis of cancer often significantly changes lives. Depressive symptoms associated with cancer are not uncommon: whether during diagnosis, after completion of initial treatment or operations, or becoming aware of what has happened in the last few hours, days and weeks. Physical changes or destroyed life dreams can also trigger depressive symptoms.

Around 60% of cancer patients suffer from high psychological stress. A history of pain, physical complaints, fatigue and mental illness can cause the onset of mental illnesses also favor. The risk of developing depression is 4 times higher as a result of cancer.

Depression is a complex mental disorder that is classified as mood disorders in psychiatry.

What is depression?

Basically, there are different types of depression:

• Major depression (unipolar depression)
• Chronic depressive mood (dysthymia)
• Postpartum depression and baby blues
• Cyclothymic disorder
• Seasonally dependent illnesses (“winter depression”)
• bipolar disorder
• psychotic depression

In connection with cancer, special attention is paid to major depressive disorder (unipolar depression). Unipolar depression is a mental disorder in which the mood changes drastically for the negative. The main symptoms of this depression are a low mood and a loss of interest and drive. Depressive disorders are divided, among other things, by severity and presence of a physical (somatic) syndrome or psychotic symptoms. The causes are complicated and include both biological and psychosocial factors, which may differ in each patient.

In the case of cancer, dealing with the disease can cause emotions such as fear, sadness, discouragement, despair or depression. These emotions are depressive symptoms, but they are a normal response to cancer. Depressive symptoms can also be triggered by some cancer treatments and chemotherapy.

However, depressive symptoms are not always signs of major depressive disorder. Criteria set by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), which are used to determine typical symptoms of depression, are

• Depressed mood, sadness, despondency, hopelessness that has existed for at least two to four weeks
  
• Significantly reduced interest or enjoyment in all or almost all activities that used to be enjoyable
• Significant weight gain or loss
• insomnia or an excessive need for sleep
• Severe restlessness or noticeably slowed movements
• fatigue and loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Reduced ability to cognite and concentrate
• Recurrent death or suicidal thoughts

If any of the listed symptoms occur, it is advisable to entrust yourself to therapists who can help take further steps. Alternatively, it is also possible to contact counselors or therapists directly.

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Depression vs. fatigue

As with fatigue, fatigue and loss of energy also play a major role in depression. But how can depression be differentiated from fatigue? Both symptoms can occur in parallel and influence, even intensify, each other.

The symptoms of fatigue, loss of energy and depressive moods are evident in both fatigue and depression. Nevertheless, the diseases differ:

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In depression, however, the focus is on the depressive mood, a depressed, persistent mood. When it comes to energy levels, patients usually start the day with a low. Improvement is often seen over the course of the day.

Fatigue focuses on physical and cognitive exhaustion and relatively rapid loss of energy. Energy resources are more likely to be available after rest at night, but deplete quickly over the course of the day.

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Therapeutic Approaches

In addition to the generally known treatment approaches of psychotherapy and drug therapy with psychotropic drugs, there are numerous other treatment options.

There are specific treatment recommendations for patients with depression. Depression is divided into three stages:

• a lightweight form
• a medium-grade form and
• a severe form

This gradation (graduation) is carried out on the basis of the number of main and accompanying symptoms and indicates the need for treatment:

• In the case of mild depression, treatment can be dispensed with for the time being under close observation and control.
• In the case of a moderate form, medical or psychotherapeutic therapy may be considered.
• The recommendation for severe depression is a combination of psychotherapeutic and drug therapy.

Which form of therapy is the right one, is individual and is determined after a medical diagnosis.

psychotherapy

Psychotherapy addresses psychological stress together with a therapist as part of individual, group or couple discussions. This form of therapy has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, even physical complaints and improve the quality of life. There are therapists, so-called psycho-oncologists, who specialize in the psychotherapeutic treatment of tumor patients. The Cancer Information Service provides a list of active psycho-oncologists.

Since access to therapists can be difficult due to the small number of therapists, it is worthwhile to visit a psychosocial counseling center. These usually enable short-term telephone or personal appointments. Here, patients come across trained specialists who provide information about the illness, provide assistance with social or social law issues and deal with emotional problems. They also have knowledge of further offers and contact points.

The Cancer Information Service also provides information about psychosocial counseling centers.

Patient Empowerment & Education

Patient education is another treatment option. It is often found in inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient aftercare or even in a psychotherapeutic context. Digital applications also rely on the concept of patient education. Here, patients learn to better understand and deal with their illness. They learn more about examination and treatment methods, how they can deal with illness or stress, what help is available and where they can find psychosocial support.

Further therapeutic approaches

Forms of Occupational therapy, art therapy and the Physio- and exercise therapy. The latter includes strength and endurance sports as well as yoga and massages.

Their effect should also not be underestimated Relaxation- and imaginative methods. These include progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, yoga and meditation. These various measures can relieve tension, reduce psychological stress, anxiety, even nausea and also improve the quality of life.

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conclusion

There is a close connection between mental and physical well-being. Psychological stress such as depression, anxiety or adjustment disorders is therefore completely normal in the case of a serious illness such as a tumour disease.

If you find yourself in the descriptions of the various mental illnesses above, you should not hesitate to discuss this with your treating doctor. Because, as you have learned here, there are many ways to combat these diseases.