How do you deal with it?

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thepinkbirdie
thepinkbirdie Member Posts: 212
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

What do you do to cope/deal with stress, anxiety, depression, etc?

My husband has just recently lost his job.  I'm unemployed.  (Although I'm unemployed, I think my stress level is still less than it was when I was employed!)

Do you take meds?  Yoga?  Drink?  Shop?  Pray?  Crafts?

For me, it's like a vicious cycle.  I find myself wondering if stress was what contributed to my cancer and then I start worrying over it... adding stress to stress.  *sigh*

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited March 2010

    I had major anxiety when I finished rads. That was July 2008. I tried to work on it myself, but couldn't do it. I broke down in my GP's office and she was shocked that I had been suffering for 6 months and said nothing to her. She put me on 37.5mg of Effexor. Low dose anti depressant. It helped me soooooo much. I stopped it 6 months later, I was doing better.

    I hate to admitt it, but I actually did a lot of shopping...lol. For the house, myself, my daughter. It helped me at the time, I dont know why. I always seemed to justify purchases because of going through breast cancer. I told myself..." go ahead...you deserve it."

    I have stopped shopping now.

    I don't suffer from anxiety now like I use to, but I have my days or moments. Now...I exercise. It feels great. I feel great. Almost better than shopping...lol. *joke* Tongue out

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  • GryffinSong
    GryffinSong Member Posts: 439
    edited March 2010

    I take antidepressants. I talk with my mom or a close friend. I pet or snuggle with my dogs. I paint or quilt. I'd like to walk but we've had really crappy weather. And with depression I find myself not wanting to be outside much. I'm hoping spring will help with that. I visit various online boards.

    When I'm anxious at night (not so much now that chemo and rads are done) I occasionally take a Motrin PM to help me sleep.

    The financial thing is huge for me too. Right now my mom is helping me with my bills while I get back on my feet, but I couldn't work last year because I was so sick from treatments, I've been trying to create a new life as an artist, and the deductables ate through the remainder of my savings. Even though my mom is helping me I panic sometimes, knowing that I'd be really stuck without her, and that I don't want to be a burden to her.

    Shopping therapy used to be fun when I had a good job. These days not so much. During chemotherapy, though, sometimes I'd stop at goodwill or salvation army afterwards and treat myself to a new mug or shirt or something. I could get a shopping buzz off buying a 49 cent tea mug if it was pretty enough. ;)

    Hugs and best wishes to you!

    edited to add: during the worst of my treatments and testing, the doc prescribed something like valium. I'm blanking on what it was. I would take it before invasive tests, and for a night or two after chemo. The chemo made me really wired. I haven't taken any in months, but it did help me through the worst of things.

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  • thepinkbirdie
    thepinkbirdie Member Posts: 212
    edited March 2010

    I usually love to go to goodwill because it was an inexpensive shopping trip and helped to clear my mind for a little while.  However, the ones here have gotten to be what I consider offensively expensive.  I was in two of their stores yesterday and saw that they were pricing a "set" of second-hand plates for $25!  The more they go up on their prices, the more money I save because I'm less likely to pay that much for something used.  Or I'll just go buy it new.

    I need to exercise.  I know that would help me.

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  • ananda8
    ananda8 Member Posts: 2,755
    edited March 2010

    When I am stressed, I meditate.  There are many sites about meditation and it is now being recommended as  therapy by many doctors.  The easiest is meditation on the breath.  Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight (it is OK to use support if you need it).  The lotus position is not required. 

    Close your eyes or lower your gaze whichever you prefer.  Pay attention to you breath as it goes in and out of your nose.  I pay attention to the area right under my nostrils where I can feel the air go in and out.  Pay attention only to your breath.  As you start to have thoughts pop up just return to the breath.  It doesn't matter if you can only focus on the breath for 1 second.  Just keep going back to the breath when ever your mind wanders.  Try this for 5 minutes and work up to 15-20 minutes.  Use a timer.

    As you go through the day and note the depression or anxiety increasing, just go back to the breath for a minute and then continue with what you were doing.  This helps me and I hope it helps you.

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