Stress

Patients may not address “end-of-life issues” because of stress and anxiety. In my experience, I have found that patients are often under more stress and anxiety when discussions about prognosis and goals of care have not occurred. People approach a cancer diagnosis and treatment differently, influenced by their personalities, life experiences, education as well as personal and spiritual beliefs. It is important to first understand how a patient is coping with and understanding their illness and prognosis. Stress and anxiety often arise from misunderstanding and/or fear about the underlying illness. If this is the case, starting a dialogue with the patient, to clarify misconceptions and openly address patient and family fears, will help to dissipate stress and anxiety and allow an open discourse about prognosis and patient wishes for care at the end of life. Patients may not address “end-of-life issues” because of stress and anxiety. In my experience, I have found that patients are often under more stress and anxiety when discussions about prognosis and goals of care have not occurred. People approach a cancer diagnosis and treatment differently, influenced by their personalities, life experiences, education as well as personal and spiritual beliefs. It is important to first understand how a patient is coping with and understanding their illness and prognosis. Stress and anxiety often arise from misunderstanding and/or fear about the underlying illness. If this is the case, starting a dialogue with the patient, to clarify misconceptions and openly address patient and family fears, will help to dissipate stress and anxiety and allow an open discourse about prognosis and patient wishes for care at the end of life.

Uncertainty, especially under the circumstances of a cancer diagnosis, is one of most stressful experiences. I recommend exercise, meditation, and relaxation exercises as ways to cope with stress during this time. Check out this book by Dr. Michael Antoni, one of the leading researchers in this area: http://www.amazon.com/Stress-Management-Intervention-Breast-Cancer/dp/1557989419/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332591278&sr=1-2 I also highly recommend finding online social networks, like on http://www.PatientsLikeMe.com to find and connect with others going through what you are going through. Even though family and friends may be supportive, it can be so helpful to talk to people who have been through or are going through what you are going through. Only they can truly understand your fears and concerns. And, because the people you meet in online social networks are not close family and friends, you may actually be able to speak more freely about your thoughts, feelings and challenges, especially to the extent that some of the challenges involve family and friends reactions to your cancer. Uncertainty, especially under the circumstances of a cancer diagnosis, is one of most stressful experiences. I recommend exercise, meditation, and relaxation exercises as ways to cope with stress during this time. Check out this book by Dr. Michael Antoni, one of the leading researchers in this area: http://www.amazon.com/Stress-Management-Intervention-Breast-Cancer/dp/1557989419/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332591278&sr=1-2 I also highly recommend finding online social networks, like on http://www.PatientsLikeMe.com to find and connect with others going through what you are going through. Even though family and friends may be supportive, it can be so helpful to talk to people who have been through or are going through what you are going through. Only they can truly understand your fears and concerns. And, because the people you meet in online social networks are not close family and friends, you may actually be able to speak more freely about your thoughts, feelings and challenges, especially to the extent that some of the challenges involve family and friends reactions to your cancer.

It can be difficult to make someone confront their stress and anxiety. I recommend that you share your concern with them, but be sure not to push too hard. You might say, “I’m worried about you. You seem very stressed out, is there anything I can do to help?” If they aren’t open to admitting it or discussing it, you might try to help reduce their stressors. Make sure to give them time to relax, try not to place too many demands on them, and make them feel comfortable confiding in you. You might also invite them to do stress reducing activities with you—like going for walks. If they sense that you are pushing it though, they will feel less inclined to speak to you about it. If there is a friend or family member that this person may feel more comfortable talking to you might try to connect them with that person. Keep in mind that when we don’t acknowledge something about ourselves it is because we are not ready. You can’t make someone ready to acknowledge a problem or to deal with it. In the meantime, if the situation is causing you stress, you might focus on managing your own stress about it. It can be difficult to make someone confront their stress and anxiety. I recommend that you share your concern with them, but be sure not to push too hard. You might say, “I’m worried about you. You seem very stressed out, is there anything I can do to help?” If they aren’t open to admitting it or discussing it, you might try to help reduce their stressors. Make sure to give them time to relax, try not to place too many demands on them, and make them feel comfortable confiding in you. You might also invite them to do stress reducing activities with you—like going for walks. If they sense that you are pushing it though, they will feel less inclined to speak to you about it. If there is a friend or family member that this person may feel more comfortable talking to you might try to connect them with that person. Keep in mind that when we don’t acknowledge something about ourselves it is because we are not ready. You can’t make someone ready to acknowledge a problem or to deal with it. In the meantime, if the situation is causing you stress, you might focus on managing your own stress about it.

Up until recently, the “official” answer from NIH and others has been that there is not been any study that conclusively links stress as a direct cause of cancer. The National Cancer Institute fact sheet says,

“Although the results of some studies have indicated a link between various psychological factors and an increased risk of developing cancer, a direct cause-and-effect relationship has not been proven.” Here is a link to that source: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/stress

An article in the New York Times regarding the link between stress and cancer says,

“What has emerged is a tenuous connection between stress, the immune system and cancer, with a surprising new insight that is changing the direction of research: it now appears that cancer cells make proteins that actually tell the immune system to let them alone and even to help them grow. As for whether stress causes cancer, the question is still open.” Here is the link to this source: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/29/health/29canc.html?pagewanted=all

An article in PychCentral regarding this matter says,

“Currently, there is no evidence that stress is a direct cause of cancer. But evidence is accumulating that there is some link between stress and developing certain kinds of cancer, as well as how the disease progresses. Hundreds of studies have measured how stress impacts our immune systems and fights disease. At Ohio State University, researcher Dr. Ron Glaser, Ph.D., found that students under pressure had slower-healing wounds and took longer to produce immune system cells that kill invading organisms. Renowned researcher Dr. Dean Ornish, M.D., who has spent 20 years examining the effects of stress on the body, found that stress-reduction techniques could actually help reverse heart disease. And Dr. Barry Spiegel, M.D., a leader in the field of psychosomatic medicine, found that metastatic breast cancer patients lived longer when they participated in support groups.

Other studies have gone as far as to show those women who experienced traumatic life events or losses in previous years had significantly higher rates of breast cancer.

Still, the National Cancer Institute reports, “Although studies have shown that stress factors, such as death of a spouse, social isolation, and medical school examinations, alter the way the immune system functions, they have not provided scientific evidence of a direct cause-and-effect relationship between these immune system changes and the development of cancer.”

Nonetheless, some medical experts say therein lies the link between cancer and stress — if stress decreases the body’s ability to fight disease, it loses the ability to kill cancer cells.” Link to source: http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/stress-a-cause-of-cancer/

However, a study in 2010 published in Nature was reported by Newsmaxhealth saying,

“Stress is a killer and is implicated in numerous deadly conditions including high blood pressure and heart attacks. Now scientists have biological evidence that common, everyday stress can trigger cancer.

A new study by Yale University School of Medicine and Fudan University in China shows that stress causes signals to be sent to mutant genes that make them turn cancerous.” Source: http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/headline_health/stress_cause_cancer/2010/01/28/312526.html

All the above being said regarding the “evidence” linking stress and cancer; my own experience is that I frequently see patients with cancer seeking help with hypnosis to boost their immune system, overcome side-effects of treatment, control pain, and make changes to a healthier lifestyle. And in the majority of these cases it is most common to see where prolonged and chronic stress (along with lifestyles with poor stress coping skills) have existed prior to the diagnosis of cancer. There are cases also where I have seen individuals experience ‘better healing’ responses by adding the mind-body tools available through hypnosis and lifestyle changes. I think that anyone diagnosed with cancer would benefit from learning many varieties of stress management, including hypnosis to access and use the mind-body connection for positive messages, images, and intentions for healing and stress-resiliency.
Up until recently, the “official” answer from NIH and others has been that there is not been any study that conclusively links stress as a direct cause of cancer. The National Cancer Institute fact sheet says,

“Although the results of some studies have indicated a link between various psychological factors and an increased risk of developing cancer, a direct cause-and-effect relationship has not been proven.” Here is a link to that source: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/stress

An article in the New York Times regarding the link between stress and cancer says,

“What has emerged is a tenuous connection between stress, the immune system and cancer, with a surprising new insight that is changing the direction of research: it now appears that cancer cells make proteins that actually tell the immune system to let them alone and even to help them grow. As for whether stress causes cancer, the question is still open.” Here is the link to this source: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/29/health/29canc.html?pagewanted=all

An article in PychCentral regarding this matter says,

“Currently, there is no evidence that stress is a direct cause of cancer. But evidence is accumulating that there is some link between stress and developing certain kinds of cancer, as well as how the disease progresses. Hundreds of studies have measured how stress impacts our immune systems and fights disease. At Ohio State University, researcher Dr. Ron Glaser, Ph.D., found that students under pressure had slower-healing wounds and took longer to produce immune system cells that kill invading organisms. Renowned researcher Dr. Dean Ornish, M.D., who has spent 20 years examining the effects of stress on the body, found that stress-reduction techniques could actually help reverse heart disease. And Dr. Barry Spiegel, M.D., a leader in the field of psychosomatic medicine, found that metastatic breast cancer patients lived longer when they participated in support groups.

Other studies have gone as far as to show those women who experienced traumatic life events or losses in previous years had significantly higher rates of breast cancer.

Still, the National Cancer Institute reports, “Although studies have shown that stress factors, such as death of a spouse, social isolation, and medical school examinations, alter the way the immune system functions, they have not provided scientific evidence of a direct cause-and-effect relationship between these immune system changes and the development of cancer.”

Nonetheless, some medical experts say therein lies the link between cancer and stress — if stress decreases the body’s ability to fight disease, it loses the ability to kill cancer cells.” Link to source: http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/stress-a-cause-of-cancer/

However, a study in 2010 published in Nature was reported by Newsmaxhealth saying,

“Stress is a killer and is implicated in numerous deadly conditions including high blood pressure and heart attacks. Now scientists have biological evidence that common, everyday stress can trigger cancer.

A new study by Yale University School of Medicine and Fudan University in China shows that stress causes signals to be sent to mutant genes that make them turn cancerous.” Source: http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/headline_health/stress_cause_cancer/2010/01/28/312526.html

All the above being said regarding the “evidence” linking stress and cancer; my own experience is that I frequently see patients with cancer seeking help with hypnosis to boost their immune system, overcome side-effects of treatment, control pain, and make changes to a healthier lifestyle. And in the majority of these cases it is most common to see where prolonged and chronic stress (along with lifestyles with poor stress coping skills) have existed prior to the diagnosis of cancer. There are cases also where I have seen individuals experience ‘better healing’ responses by adding the mind-body tools available through hypnosis and lifestyle changes. I think that anyone diagnosed with cancer would benefit from learning many varieties of stress management, including hypnosis to access and use the mind-body connection for positive messages, images, and intentions for healing and stress-resiliency.

Great question! By removing unhealthy foods from the diet – foods such as refined and artificial sugar, processed foods and most animal-based foods – and increasing whole, plant-based foods I gained more energy, felt better and reached a healthy weight. Eating nutrient-dense real food also greatly decreased the stress on my body in terms of digestion and inflammation. And enjoying some good quality dark chocolate once in awhile helped, too. Great question! By removing unhealthy foods from the diet – foods such as refined and artificial sugar, processed foods and most animal-based foods – and increasing whole, plant-based foods I gained more energy, felt better and reached a healthy weight. Eating nutrient-dense real food also greatly decreased the stress on my body in terms of digestion and inflammation. And enjoying some good quality dark chocolate once in awhile helped, too.

Therapy, relaxing hobbies, guided imagery, exercise. All these are really vital to your spirit, mind, and body. You control one thing; your thoughts. So stop living in a future you fear due to your thoughts and visualize what you desire. Also use meditation, laughter and relationships to help you. Drugs and alcohol are helpful too when the previous items are ineffective. As a 90+ year old said in our support group, "The only thing I am afraid of is driving on the parkway at night." You have a potential that you need to recognize and accept and live the message. As Ernest Holmes said, "What if Jesus was the only normal person who ever lived?"

The connection between our emotional life and our physical body is well-established and Dr. Siegel has written and taught extensively on this. Having awareness around the emotional issues that generate stress which can severely impact the immune system is an important step in generating greater health and well being. Looking into life purpose and focus are two other facets where we can either generate stress and overwhelm or foster consciousness to create shifts that alter our present and future experience.

My followup up to the awareness step is what conscious changes can we integrate into our lives to shift this. There are hidden sources of stress that most people are not able to tap into without taking their consciousness to the next level. Since we can rarely change the past, how can we shift how we are currently interacting with those feelings and fears? Ask me about so what, what now and what's next...if that intrigues you ;) Feeling unloved by your parents--fearing what other people think of you--fearing being hurt by relationships--and not loving yourself or having any self worth or esteem and so you self destruct. Our childhood is stored in our body and will present its bill some day. Read Alice Miller.

It's important for the caregiver to understand that you are helping your loved one, but not at the expense of your own health.

Often caregivers do not fully understand their role. It's not up to a caregiver to get the patient well, but to assist the patient in obtaining what They believe will get them well.

Caregiver can help in many ways, but they are not the boss, the mother, or the food police of the patient:)

I do an exercise with the patient and caregiver to help both communicate and meet their needs. It's often not easy:) I love questions about caregivers as often they put themselves second to their own detriment. What I share with my clients and my group coaching participants is that self care is NOT self-ish! In fact, to extend longevity as a caregiver seeking support and putting your own wellness plan in place is essential.

It is also important to have a safe place to talk about feelings that can come up such as guilt, anger, frustration, etc. When we run short of resources it can compromise our interactions with our loved one. When we create this as caregivers for ourselves, we will have more time, energy and patience to be of service and come at it that way instead out of feeling obligated or as if it is a should.

Stress has major impacts on the immune system, sleep patterns and overall well-being which then impacts our interactions with our loved one. The percentages of caregivers who become ill or even die before their loved one is incredibly high. I'm on a mission through my group coaching and workshops to work with caregivers so we bring these numbers down and increase quality of life for both caregivers and survivors!

Overall make sure you are aware of both your body and mind. Your body will have clues as to your stress level through things like heart rate, respirations, persperation, trembling, muscle tension, fidgeting, nausea, diarrhea, etc. Your mind will give you clues like difficulty concentrating or focusing, racing thoughts, obsessive thoughts, catastrophic thoughts, fear provoking thoughts, etc.

Managing stress in the workplace is the same as managing stress anywhere. Start by de-activating the Fight/Flight response by changing your breathing pattern. Make your breathing longer, slower, deeper and more regular. Get to a quieter area and stretch muscles; try to force yourself to yawn. If you have a workplace that includes a gym or workout area, burn off some of that energy (exercise actually makes the brain think and learn better anyway).

Once you have started to get your bodily reaction calmed down, focus on changing the content of your thinking. If you are fixated on deadlines and failing and getting fired, you're just scaring yourself to death. Think about what you need to accomplish and begin by prioritizing. Break big tasks into little steps and start accomplishing them. When your mind jumps back to "You have to get this done NOW!" tell yourself that's just what you are doing; getting it done, one step at a time.

If your stress involves relationships with co-workers, supervisors or clients/customers, then take a look at what is common about the people who are frustrating or stressing you out. Try to identify the trigger and see if you can innoculate yourself against it. Try to see what their purpose is in behaving the way they do and anticipate their actions in the future. Tell yourself it doesn't really matter that it happens.

Think about your work not as who you are but something you do. Disconnect your identity from your job title. Your worth as a person is not related to how much you get done or if you met a particular deadline.

Look for the things in your life for which you are grateful and keep them in your mind. Especially when those thngs are benefitted by the work that you do or the check you bring home at the end of the week.

I keep an image of the universe in my computer to pull up and stare at now and then. I put a little tiny red arrow on it with the words, "You are here." It helps me remeber how inconsequential most things that happen in life really are. After a few minutes, some deep breaths and a renewed determination, I go back to it... and git'r dun! Overall make sure you are aware of both your body and mind. Your body will have clues as to your stress level through things like heart rate, respirations, persperation, trembling, muscle tension, fidgeting, nausea, diarrhea, etc. Your mind will give you clues like difficulty concentrating or focusing, racing thoughts, obsessive thoughts, catastrophic thoughts, fear provoking thoughts, etc.

Managing stress in the workplace is the same as managing stress anywhere. Start by de-activating the Fight/Flight response by changing your breathing pattern. Make your breathing longer, slower, deeper and more regular. Get to a quieter area and stretch muscles; try to force yourself to yawn. If you have a workplace that includes a gym or workout area, burn off some of that energy (exercise actually makes the brain think and learn better anyway).

Once you have started to get your bodily reaction calmed down, focus on changing the content of your thinking. If you are fixated on deadlines and failing and getting fired, you're just scaring yourself to death. Think about what you need to accomplish and begin by prioritizing. Break big tasks into little steps and start accomplishing them. When your mind jumps back to "You have to get this done NOW!" tell yourself that's just what you are doing; getting it done, one step at a time.

If your stress involves relationships with co-workers, supervisors or clients/customers, then take a look at what is common about the people who are frustrating or stressing you out. Try to identify the trigger and see if you can innoculate yourself against it. Try to see what their purpose is in behaving the way they do and anticipate their actions in the future. Tell yourself it doesn't really matter that it happens.

Think about your work not as who you are but something you do. Disconnect your identity from your job title. Your worth as a person is not related to how much you get done or if you met a particular deadline.

Look for the things in your life for which you are grateful and keep them in your mind. Especially when those thngs are benefitted by the work that you do or the check you bring home at the end of the week.

I keep an image of the universe in my computer to pull up and stare at now and then. I put a little tiny red arrow on it with the words, "You are here." It helps me remeber how inconsequential most things that happen in life really are. After a few minutes, some deep breaths and a renewed determination, I go back to it... and git'r dun!