Psychological support for cancer patients

What psycho-oncology deals with

In the initial period after receiving the diagnosis, those affected often find it difficult to comprehend what has happened. Thoughts circle incessantly, future prospects seem uncertain or lost, and feelings of hopelessness spread. Questions such as "Why me?" or "Do I even have any options left?" come to mind. For many people, the word "cancer" alone can trigger intense feelings of threat and fear.

Mental health is particularly important during the course of cancer treatment. Psycho-oncology deals with the psychological aspects that can arise in connection with cancer. Its aim is to provide individual support to those affected in dealing with emotional reactions such as grief, fear, inner turmoil, anger, despair, or resignation. The concerns and stresses of relatives are also taken into account.

Frequently observed accompanying psychological reactions include:

Psychological reactions during the course of the illness

A cancer diagnosis can cause a variety of psychological stress. It is not uncommon for some time to pass before those affected consult medical professionals about the first physical symptoms. Initially, symptoms are noticed but often trivialized or suppressed. This phase is often characterized by uncertainty, vague fears, irritability, and doubts.

When medical clarification is finally sought, the fear of a definitive diagnosis increasingly comes to the fore. Looking back, many patients find the period between examinations and the communication of the findings particularly stressful. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, another phase of the illness begins, often accompanied by a state of emotional turmoil. Intense fears, fear of death, despair, loss of meaning, or resignation may occur. Time is suddenly perceived as a scarce and threatening commodity.

Mental crises can occur particularly in the following phases:

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.

Challenges in dealing with the disease

During this time, self-doubt, helplessness, anger, and withdrawal often alternate. Many people keep their worries to themselves so as not to burden their loved ones or out of shame, as they feel their reactions are exaggerated.

Individual coping usually takes place in familiar ways—but not always with a view to maintaining a good quality of life. Some people withdraw completely or become resigned, while others try to gain control by intensively searching for information and taking numerous additional measures, which in turn can cause additional stress.

Common coping patterns include, for example:

Accompanying feelings may include:

Role of psycho-oncology in dealing with the disease

Given the multitude of intense emotions, many affected individuals find it difficult to make clear decisions. At the same time, the disease phase is characterized by important choices, for example, regarding therapeutic measures or additional support. Psycho-oncological interventions aim to identify and change stressful psychological factors that block decision-making processes or negatively influence the course of the disease.

A key concern is restoring inner stability and experiencing active participation in the treatment steps. Clarity about one's own fears, insecurities, and feelings can help counteract the feeling of helplessness. Consciously naming inner processes creates orientation and a feeling of control.

People generally have the ability to adapt to even very stressful life situations, provided they actively deal with them. Allowing and expressing emotions in a therapeutic setting often has a relieving and stabilizing effect.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.

Relaxation and visualization techniques

Relaxation and visualization techniques are an important part of psychotherapeutic work with cancer patients. They can reduce anxiety and despair and help to strengthen psychological resources. Studies show that such methods can have a positive effect on both emotional stress and treatment-related symptoms. Active participation in the disease process, for example through mental techniques, can also help to make side effects less stressful and strengthen the feeling of personal agency.

Strengthening resources and self-image

Many affected individuals experience a significant impairment of their self-image as a result of the diagnosis. The feeling of strength and self-efficacy is often lost. In psychotherapeutic work, existing but currently inaccessible resources are made visible again. The aim is to promote the healthy aspects of a person in order to maintain mental stability and quality of life.

Schema therapy approach and finding meaning

Problematic patterns of thinking and experiencing learned early in life also influence how we deal with serious illness. Coping with illness is always embedded in an individual's life story. Schema therapy according to Jeffrey Young offers an integrative approach to recognizing and changing such patterns.

Schemas develop early in life and shape perceptions, thinking, and behavior. If basic emotional needs such as security, attachment, or autonomy are not sufficiently met, dysfunctional patterns can develop that remain effective even in the event of illness.

The aim of therapeutic work is to raise awareness of these patterns, understand their origins, and develop new, more helpful coping strategies. The therapeutic relationship can serve as a corrective emotional experience in this process.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.

Quality of life as a central therapeutic goal

Quality of life encompasses physical, psychological, and social aspects. Maintaining independence and autonomy is of central importance to many affected individuals. The loss of these abilities is often experienced as a serious threat to self-esteem and can contribute to the development of depression.

Psychotherapeutic support can help to alleviate crises of self-esteem, depressive states, and existential questions. In addition to emotional support, psychotherapy also promotes self-reflection and the development of new ways of thinking and acting.

Psycho-oncological work helps people to find a place for their illness in their own lives despite all the limitations it imposes and to develop meaningful perspectives. No one should be left alone with their fears and inner wounds during this challenging phase of life.

Responsible for the content of this page: Mag. Sonja Knefel