On Anxiety

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SpunkyGirl
SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I saw this on the message board at my doctor's office yesterday, and it is so relevant to all of us:

ANXIETY

*Increases the perception of pain (oh, yes!)

*Drives people to seek comfort and security and to greatly appreciate small comfort-giving gestures

*Lowers a person's ability to tolerate frustration which explains why some patients might act "unreasonably" irritated

*Interferes with memory and the ability to understand information

*Reduces people' ability to deal with ambiguity, choices and problems (YES!)

When we all do what we can to lessen THE ANXIETY of the poeple in our world, we make our caring felt.

I had to laugh when I read this. I immediately thought of all the various pains that I've had since being diagnosed, and how anxiety was probably an unnoticed feature of them all.  That makes it so hard to tell when we should call the doctor and when we shouldn't, but it's something for us all to keep in mind.  We have to do what we can to reduce the anxiety in our lives (easier said than done....).

Peace!

Bobbie

Comments

  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited March 2010

    I found myself saying, "YEP!" to every item on this list.  I copied it so I can remember this when needed.  Very, very helpful.  Thanks.

  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    Oh, this is so true! I have my 3 monthly next Thursday, and it has already started overshadowing everything. It is amazing the aches and pains that start bothering me, in the lead up to an appointment.

  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited March 2010

    This list is so true..........amazing what our minds can do to our bodies!

  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited March 2010

    This is so true, I was feeling good until I decided to change oncologist, now I think I've got myself all wound up. I will be glad when its over, at my old one I didn't worry because they didn't even touch me. They felt up my good boob and said I'll see you in 3 months, and gave me a years worth of Tamoxifen. I know the new doctor will go over everything, sometimes I wonder if I still want to hide my head in the sand.

    (((Kerry)))

  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited March 2010

    Kerry,

    I hope your appointment goes just great! 

    Hugs

    Bobbie

  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    Thank you! And its on April Fools day and all.

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