Anxiety and depression are common feelings after diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer.
Signs of anxiety include:
- constantly feeling agitated or angry
- sleeping difficulties
- having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- avoiding distressing issues and situations
- feeling a constant need for reassurance.
Some of the key warning signs of depression include:
- always feeling low or flat
- losing interest in things that used to be enjoyable
- having difficulty sleeping
- poor appetite (although this may also be a side effect of treatment).
Depression can make it harder to deal with physical symptoms and to cope with breast cancer. Some women avoid talking about their emotional concerns or seeking help because they feel they should be coping or they don’t want to be a burden to others. Others are encouraged by those around them to be strong and positive, which can make it hard to ask for help.
More information
Breast Cancer Network Australia, in conjunction with beyondblue, the national depression initiative, has developed a fact sheet Depression and breast cancer. The fact sheet provides information on depression, its links with breast cancer, available treatments and how to help yourself or someone close to you.
