Mesothelioma: The Fear Factor

Diagnosis of mesothelioma can be left frightened, but we can not let fear paralyze you and keep you on treatment. Learn to calm down and focus on the future.

Fear is an emotion that struck first after a cancer diagnosis. And if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, the fear becomes even stronger when the doctor starts talking about the prognosis and statistics. Although treatment is certainly possible, the advanced stages of cancer - when the mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed - are more difficult to treat and survival rates are low.

Also, because so many people with mesothelioma it developed because they were exposed to asbestos at work, the potential for a lengthy trial looms, making it large medical bills. Then the fear in check is important before moving forward.

Mesothelioma: Why People Are So Afraid

People diagnosed with mesothelioma are "very scared,"said Alan D. Valentine, MD, a psychiatrist and associate professor of medicine (psychiatry) at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

There are several reasons. The late diagnosis and poor prognosis is often a certain factor, In addition to mesothelioma can not be private - or public support - that the most common cancers like breast cancer.says Dr. Valentine. He also notes that many of the ads you see on television - from law firms to promote the causes and the settlements - also provides a range of serious diseases.

"There's not much there for them," says Valentino. "Put together with a very scary diagnosis, and I think that anxiety and depression tend to be near the top."People can also feel isolated with this disease, he says, which can be exacerbated by fear.

Mesothelioma: How to Calm Down and Cope

Therapy and antidepressants are an opportunity to help manage emotions such as fear, anxiety and depression are common after a diagnosis of cancer,said Valentine. Then he said that patients should be examined to see if these treatments do provide benefit, they should not automatically be prescribed.

Instead, concentrate on what needs to happen, says Valentine, than what could happen. Focus on business obligations, taking medications, and moving forward with treatment, in lieu of wondering if the worst will happen.

Be honest and realistic about what you're faced with, recommends Valentine. Accept your fear, rage, and other feelings — don't feel like you need to be strong, stoic, and always positive. "Sometimes, that's asking a lot," he says.

Valentine also recommends these mechanisms to cope with fear from a cancer diagnosis and to stay calm:

Practicing guided imagery, in which you lead your thoughts to soothing images

Trying self-hypnosis

Joining a support group

Getting regular, light exercise — even cycling or exercising in a chair

Anything you can do to distract yourself and permit yourself to refocus on the task at hand than getting caught up in fear, anxiety, and "what ifs," Valentine says, will help you manage your fear.