Depression,PTSD and BC
Hi all, this forum has been invaluable to me since my diagnosis on May 26 this year. Had lumpectomy ,left breast,including loss of nipple, clear margins, nodes all clear. Yay! Stage 1, grade 3.About t...
Forum Discussion
My family history is complicated and has often been very difficult. When I was diagnosed I asked if I could see a dietician and a counsellor. As I was diagnosed in December I had to wait ages before I could see the counsellor. I found it a helpful space to let it all hang out and she helped me start to process everything.
However she also correctly I believe, identified that I was suffering from depression and anxiety. The former I believe is/was situational, both from the family trauma and my diagnosis. The latter she thinks I've had to a greater or lesser degree all my adult life. Now that I understand it more I agree. I certainly know that I've been having panic attacks increasingly over the last two years.
I fell apart in the third cycle of chemo and could not stop crying. For a week I cried at home, at the GP, for two hours with the psychologist... Fortunately she didn't have anyone coming in after me and wouldn't let me leave until I had a modicum of composure! I was in the middle of treatment and struggling hard with my decision to have the double mastectomy and reconstruction.
They both gently raised again the possibility of taking an anti-depressant, an idea that I was not outright opposed to, but one I was hesitant about.
I also sobbed on the phone to my breast care nurse and she was the one who phrased it the right way and made me see sense about taking it. So I did and I've been so much better for it.
I still get sad and cry (I had some shockers in hospital after my operation) but I function so much better. I've been feeling a bit down and anxious the last three days but it's not stopping me from doing stuff. I've got the option of increasing the dose, we'll see. I don't want to be on it forever but I think I have to work on the old brainbox before easing down and out.
So that's my mental health story. It's a watching brief, and as I strongly believe in removing stigma, you'll know what happens next! K xox
However she also correctly I believe, identified that I was suffering from depression and anxiety. The former I believe is/was situational, both from the family trauma and my diagnosis. The latter she thinks I've had to a greater or lesser degree all my adult life. Now that I understand it more I agree. I certainly know that I've been having panic attacks increasingly over the last two years.
I fell apart in the third cycle of chemo and could not stop crying. For a week I cried at home, at the GP, for two hours with the psychologist... Fortunately she didn't have anyone coming in after me and wouldn't let me leave until I had a modicum of composure! I was in the middle of treatment and struggling hard with my decision to have the double mastectomy and reconstruction.
They both gently raised again the possibility of taking an anti-depressant, an idea that I was not outright opposed to, but one I was hesitant about.
I also sobbed on the phone to my breast care nurse and she was the one who phrased it the right way and made me see sense about taking it. So I did and I've been so much better for it.
I still get sad and cry (I had some shockers in hospital after my operation) but I function so much better. I've been feeling a bit down and anxious the last three days but it's not stopping me from doing stuff. I've got the option of increasing the dose, we'll see. I don't want to be on it forever but I think I have to work on the old brainbox before easing down and out.
So that's my mental health story. It's a watching brief, and as I strongly believe in removing stigma, you'll know what happens next! K xox