People With Mental Illness
including personality disorders, who get bc, bring their psychological disorder into the mix of bc treatment. I've observed a lot of this going on since I got my dx and joined the board. Please try to keep in mind that some posts may go far beyond dealing with bc. Just MHO as a psychologist.
Comments
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"Attention driven threads"..."Irrational Rants"? Please don't tell me you are a mental health professional judging and kicking people while they are down with a life threatening illness. Wow.
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So this means that people without mental illness do not engage in "attention-driven threads" and "irrational rants," presumably. What is this thread, then?
And how much do you charge for these pearls of wisdom?
Never had much time for discussion board (armchair) diagnoses. I'd never consult anyone but an MD myself.
Great pleace to post this, yorkiemom. Where people --many with mental illness thanks to BC-- are hoping to feel more comfortable. Don't think I'd refer anyone to you, sorry.
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Athena, I'm retired so not seeking patients. I do believe that when mental illness is in the mix with bc, more intervention needs to be done. "Attention seeking" means a cry for help. However, it is sometimes a cry for help which extends far beyond just the bc dx. Just saying. I do think people need to be totally compassionate with ALL sisters and brothers with bc. But sometimes addressing the mental illness issues will help as much or more than just talking bc treatment.
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Not judging or kicking anybody with the disease which I have. I think some people need a lot more psychological support than others.
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What are you really trying to say? Who annoyed you with a post that makes you think they are men
tally ill? What upset you and why? -
yorkiemom....What is your point?
I suffer from Depression and Anxiety.....Are you saying we are asking for attention/
Do you know how it feels to be depressed?
You shouldn't be criticising them
Sheila
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Nobody annoyed me. I have been reading posts that have caught my attention as a professional for many months now. I just hope that people with psychological issues stemming from before their bc dx get the help they need from both the board and outside professionals.
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Sheila, I'm not criticizing anybody. I'm just saying that sometimes we need more than help with the physical aspects of this disease. That is especially true is one has a preexisting psychological condition. Why is that wrong to say?
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What makes you think we are not getting help.!
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Sometimes the threads and posts I read indicate otherwise.
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Amen. A point would be good. Are BC patients with pre-existing mental illness glomming together in a desperate pity party? Posting irrational theories? Most people desperately continue to address their mental needs along with the physical BC treatment.
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In your op you accuse people you believe may be suffering from such disorders of attention seeking and irrational behaviour. This is one reason why I don't trust non-doctors to speak of medical disorders. You have no idea of that person. He or she may be well adjusted but having a bad day or have mood/thought/personality SEs from cancer treatment.
It is irresponsible to presume a differental dx with the huge comorbidities of cancer and cancer treatment present. Medical opinions should be given by qualified clinicians familiar with the full medical social and family hx of a person.
/p> -
Well said Athena. I am referring to long series of posts on threads. I feel that there are symptoms of underlying psychological issues which should be addressed along with the physical ones associated with bc. Obviously we on this board cannot address those issues professioally, but we should be aware that they are there and recommend people get help.
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Well, I suggest if the threads and posts you read indicate otherwise, you should rephrase this post in a helpful manner, or reach out in a private message to those you observe to be in need.
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Ok, I just rephrased the OP.
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Yorkiemom - when you put it that way I can agree. I think thete is a fairly keen awareness of emotional disturbance on this board. It comes across as an excess of perseveration. Or intense anger outbursts and abusive language. I've seen it on sone alt. And complementary threads and threads where controversial topics are discussed. I saw itrecently on st. IV. Not mental illness necessarily. Most severely ill people I know are careful in public. These are difficult people and their behavior is personality driven. At MOST Axis II. But we tend to overdiagnose in this country. BC almost always brings on some Axis I tendencies but those may br transient.
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I don't understand why this is even a thread. If you see people on the boards that you think need additional help, you can suggest that to them through a PM. I can agree that sometimes people need more help than a BC support board can offer. Is that the point here? I really don't get it.
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Yorkie - at some point you need to edit your OP. I came to this discussion late and I find it very unclear. From reading the responses, I get the idea of what you wrote. I have a sister with mental illness and BC. The BC really made the bipolar more pronounced in many ways. In my observation, the anxiety related to the BC diagnosis fueled a lot of the instability. These boards offer reassurance, balanced information, and support, which can really help reduce that anxiety.
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I think it would be best if this thread were erased. I agree with petjunkie. I don't see the reason for it although I am glad yorkiemom edited her post. Still it comes across as either inflammatory or aimless. I don't like to be warned against.
We ALL come as we are to Bco. One group's medical problems should not be highlighted over others. -
They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa.
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa.
To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy
to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they're coming
to take me away, ha-haaa!!!
To the happy home, with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket
weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes and they're
coming to take me away, ha-haa!!!
To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time... (fade out) -
Isn't this like anything else in life. If you don't like what you see (or read) then pass over it. People come here for support and knowledge relating to bc, whether emotional or physical. I agree with petjunkie, I don't understand why this is even a thread. (what do you do if you run into someone at the grocery store or another type of outing and their conversation is totally off track, do you call them on it or try to walk away. I think this is the same premise with these discussion boards.) basically, we are accountable only for ourselves.
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This is a forum of thousands, and certain posts must not be ignored.
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Yorkiemom, i'm sorry but I find your comment off-putting, especially noting that you are a psychologist. I've worked in mental health and bring none of that here. Sounds to me like you are very frustrated with some of the goings on and maybe need to vent off-line.
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Yorkiemom - in a way I get what you are saying. I ended up in weekly counseling with a therapist for 2 years after dx. I also had a mental breakdown about 1 year after dx. If anything the BC brought out some issues that I didn't have before or were so buried deep inside of me that I didn't realize what was going on.
I have anxiety issues now - I go through sensory overload so easily. That never used to be a problem for me before. I want to work but then I don't because I don't want to stress myself out and put too many responsibilities on myself as that is when I go into overload issues. I can only plan 2 things to do daily and if I get to three things then I am doing well.
I get too stressed out if I have 3 appointments in one day even if they are just fun things - it is the matter of I have to be somewhere at a certain time and if I get behind on the first item then I stress over it the rest of the day as I try to re-juggle my timing.
Athena did bring out the point that sometimes we are just having bad days and that does come across in our posts. We might get snarky because we are in a bad mood - none of it is intentional.
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Jancie~
I can so relate to what you are saying...
I am almost 3 years out from diagnosis and I cannot take having more than 2 or 3 things planned for each day. With 4 kids this is very difficult to do. I stress out way too easily now. It is a shame to me that I was way more relaxed before diagnosis. I will hopefully get that back with Yoga, time for myself etc.
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Been reading Yorkiemom's posts for the past couple of months, you could have fooled me
I'm really glad I did not get to read your OP before you were asked to adjust and rephrase, this one is bad enough
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Yeah, ok. People with mental illnesses get breast cancer, and mental illnesses can be exacerbated by breast cancer. Anxiety and depression can arise out of breast cancer. And, if you're a spouse/partner, caregiver, friend, you might be affected as well.
So, be kind, be patient. Get help, or suggest that loved ones, friends, colleagues seek help and support. That can be really tough.
Some people do really well with therapy, some with meds, some with diet, exercise, meditation.
I think sometimes we're very quick to condemn treatments or ideas we don't agree with...or because it's the Internet everything is magnified. We're at different stages of treatment, recovery, life...and sometimes individuals are sensitive, vulnerable, raw. -
The Relationship Between Tamoxifen, Estrogen, and Depressive Symptoms
This article reviews reports of depression associated with tamoxifen and considers the specific qualities of tamoxifen that may account for depressive symptomatology. A multitude of factors may be responsible for depression in the breast cancer patient such as adjuvant therapy, stage of treatment, and poor body image. Tamoxifen distinguishes itself due to its potential activity at the neuroendocrine level. Antagonist qualities of tamoxifen may block the neuroprotective effects of estrogen. This may result in down-regulation of neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Additional research into the mechanism of tamoxifen-associated depression is needed. As the use of tamoxifen increases, it will be essential to consider the potential side effect of depression, which in itself may alter immune function and overall survival. The risk and benefits of tamoxifen must be carefully weighed and depressive symptoms should be monitored and treated in women receiving tamoxifen therapy.
...antiestrogens always depressed control values despite vigorous removal of all known estrogen ...
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Wow there are a couple of posts in this thread that I, as a person with a mental illness, find extremely
Awful. Wow.
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