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Cancer diagnosis is often seen as a physical illness only. We may not realise the mental health challenges it may be causing to our daily routines and relationships. We often tend to ignore the consequences of surgical, medical, radiation and hormonal treatments on a person's mental health.
Psycho-oncology is a branch of health psychology which combines psychology with cancer care and creates a bridge between the physical and mental aspects of the illness. Psycho-oncology provides specialised interventions from the time of diagnosis through treatment, focusing on the psychosocial aspects of patients and their caregivers through psychotherapy and specialised counselling sessions.
The need for psycho-oncology is undeniable, especially in addressing the psychological responses to cancer and other manifestations during the varying stages of illness and survivorship. People diagnosed with cancer or in stages of recovery all require support from a psycho-oncologist, a support service that benefits patients and caregivers in their journey towards healing.
A Psycho-oncologist is a specialist who identifies and manages a broad range of mental health problems faced by patients diagnosed with cancer, along with their family members and caregivers. The mental health challenges that can occur include initial trauma, denial, anxiety, depression, fear, anger outburst, lack of compliance, grief and so on.
Other symptoms include:
Psycho-oncology helps people with cancer and their families deal with the stress of the illness. Counselling therapy is useful for both acute and chronic cases. It focuses on understanding and treating cancer-related impact on one's mental health and well-being by evaluating the social, psychological, spiritual, emotional and functional aspects of cancer on the individual.
In addition, psycho-oncologists aim to:
The diagnosis of cancer itself may cause shock, anxiety and depressiveness in many patients. In addition, it puts a lot of stress on the family, finances, and day-to-day living in general.
A Psycho-oncologist helps and supports patients learn to address and cope with the pressures of medical treatment, insomnia, relationship conflicts, emotional needs, coping with pain and side effects, caregiving, and other issues that patients and their families may experience during and after the diagnosis of cancer and its treatment.
A Psycho-oncologist should be consulted when an individual has been diagnosed with cancer or is already in treatment for the same. If they are experiencing any distress at a psychosocial level, they are advised to seek counselling support with a Psycho-oncologist.
They help with the following:
Psycho-oncologists conduct counselling sessions wherein the patient and the therapist speak in a judgement-free environment, where the patient can talk about their emotions, thoughts and feelings in the here and now.
Each practitioner's methods and techniques may vary from practice to practice. However, Psycho-oncologists primarily focus on assessing the patient's mental health through psychological interviewing and assessment tools. In addition, they may provide appropriate interventions, when needed, that are tailor-made to the specific individual's concerns and problems. Psycho-oncologists are also involved in research, training and support group planning and implementation.
Initial Assessment: Initial interviewing requires building rapport and having an in-depth conversation with the patient about their mood, thoughts and present feelings. They further ask relevant questions and allow the client or the patient to feel comfortable and emotionally safe to further discuss their problems while keeping confidentiality in mind. During the conversation, they assess how the client thinks, interprets, and infers.
Intervention Planning: Based on the initial assessment, the treatment plan is formulated and discussed with the patient, their families and the treating team to ensure a holistic approach to each patient. There are various psychological approaches and therapeutic models that are implemented for one or multiple difficulties. Psycho-oncologists choose one or an eclectic approach suited to their assessment and practice.
As opposed to psychiatrists, Psycho-oncologists are trained counsellors and therapists with a background and training in Psychology and a specialisation in Psycho-oncology.
However, psychologists or Psycho-oncologists do not have the authority to prescribe medications. Hence, if a chemical imbalance leads to a clinical mental health issue in a patient diagnosed with cancer, it is imperative to consult a psychiatrist or the treating oncologist. And the Psycho-oncologist can make a cross-referral for pharmacotherapeutic intervention alongside ongoing counselling support.
Reviewed by Hiba Siddiqui, Senior Psycho-Oncologist, Psycho-oncology on 31-Oct-2022
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
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