Psycho-oncology is a specialist area of health psychology that focuses on the psychological, social and behavioural aspects of cancer. It addresses the psychological responses that cancer victims and their families may experience at all stages of the disease, as well as the psychological, behavioural and social factors that may influence the disease process.
OZ Psikolojik Danışmanlık psiko-onkoloji danışmanlık hizmetlerini dünyaca kabul edilmiş olan Uluslararası Psiko-Onkoloji Birliği (IPOS) nin belirlemiş olduğu etik ve standartlarda vermektedir.
Common Reactions To Cancer
Physical
- Fatigue or sleeping problems
- Inability to participate in daily life or enjoy once pleasurable activities
Emotional
- Worry and anxiety: these are normal reactions to stressful situations. If your anxiety is troubling you then you might like to talk to a psychologist about ways of coping with it
- Anger and resentment: feeling angry and upset by your cancer diagnosis is not unusual and can be very distressing
- Low mood: It is not unusual to feel low after being diagnosed with cancer or during or after treatment. Feelings of depression, sadness and grief can all contribute to feelings of enduring low mood
Cognitive
- Loss of confidence
Strategies For Emotionally Dealing With Cancer
- Don’t expect to be at your peak level of energy, productivity or mood. Set small goals for yourself, and congratulate yourself for the small tasks - that you accomplish
- Write down your thoughts and feelings, perhaps in a journal. This can help avoid rumination and negative thought spirals
- Learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation, muscle relaxation, mindfulness or yoga
- As with other mind-based issues, your body is important, as a healthy mind and healthy body often go together. Remember to take regular exercise, drink plenty of water, and avoid drugs and alcohol
- Talk to other people. Voice your feelings to others who are close to you, and reach out to others that are in similar situations, especially if you feel that you are the only one feeling those feelings
When To Seek Professional Assistance
The OZ Psychological Consultancy team consists of Turkey's best psycho-oncologists who are internationally recognised. Ozan BAHCIVAN, the founding director of the OZ Psychological Consultancy has been elected as one of the directors of the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS).
Talking over your problems and concerns with a qualified psycho-oncologist in a safe environment can help. They can provide support and information, and help you manage the challenges arising from a cancer diagnosis and treatment. They can also teach you a range of practical coping skills such as relaxation, stress-management and how to challenge self-defeating patterns
Should patient’s family and caregivers also get support for themselves?
Absolutely! Research has emphasised that relatives/caregivers of cancer patients are more emotionally demanding than patients themselves. It also shows that the proportion of depression in the illness process is much higher, because usually the caregivers neglect their own mental and physical care. OZ Psychological Consultancy adapts an empathetic approach to the probable problems of the patient's caregivers - you are not alone!
The content of this website has been prepared to inform the visitor. The information on the website can never take the place of the therapeutic approach or consultation. Starting from this source, it should be known that we are not responsible for any problems that may arise from this given information, in any way our institution is not advised to initiate any treatment or to change the current treatment approach.