Health Park | Scientifically Intervene the Psychological Problems of Cancer Patients

The moment the patient learns that the tumor is diagnosed, stress and anxiety will follow. Fear of seeking medical treatment and treatment, often insomnia, dreams, and sometimes unconsciously brain-filling all kinds of bad news... These negative emotions have adverse effects on both the patient and the family. Negative emotions should not be evasive or afraid of seeking medical attention. Instead, they should actively go to regular medical institutions and get professional medical intervention.

Insomnia and tumor are mutually cause and effect. Long-term insomnia may induce the occurrence and development of tumors; the diagnosis and treatment of tumors is sometimes a big blow to patients, which promotes the appearance and aggravation of insomnia. Some people may have transient insomnia and will get better soon, and some people can't pass it by "simmering it for a while" and need to actively adjust themselves or seek professional help.

In short, negative emotions should not be evasive, afraid of seeking medical treatment, and should actively go to formal medical institutions to obtain professional medical intervention.

1. Medical treatment and evaluation

The psychology/psychiatric department of the specialist hospital or general hospital can be consulted. Recently, Fudan University Affiliated Cancer Hospital also opened the Department of Psychological Medicine, which is very convenient for registration.

Doctors need to communicate face-to-face with the patient, conduct a professional "mental examination", ask for medical history, learn about personal growth experience, family genetic history, etc., and comprehensively evaluate the patient's condition. Therefore, it is recommended that the patient come to the clinic instead of the family member. consult. Some psychological scales will also be used for assessment during the consultation process to assist in the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of the disease.

2. Drug treatment

Doctors based on the diagnosis and the physical condition of the cancer patient,For moderate to severe anxiety, depression, insomnia and other problems, the corresponding anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, hypnotic and other drugs will be prescribed.

Some patients may be particularly resistant to taking psychiatric drugs, fearing side effects, drug interactions, dependence problems, etc., but necessary drug intervention is more important for the patient's overall recovery. The doctor will help the patient choose the drug that suits them , Deal with adverse reactions in time, so the patient friends do not need to be too nervous.

3. Psychological consultation and psychotherapy

For patients with mild to moderate mental problems, psychological consultation or psychotherapy can be provided. The current forms of treatment include individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, etc., which are matched according to the actual problem needs of the patient and the expertise of the psychological counseling/psychotherapist to make a personalized plan.

IV. Psychological rehabilitation

Through biofeedback, brain reflex therapy, micro-current electrical stimulator, etc., patients can be given breathing training, body relaxation training, music therapy, etc., to regulate autonomic nerve function , neurotransmitter in the body, brain electrical activity level, etc., to achieve physical and psychological relaxation, and improve symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Medical intervention on the psychological problems of cancer patients requires the participation of psychiatrists, psychological counselors/therapists, nurses, social workers, cancer professionals, patients and their families to discuss the survival, treatment, and recovery of patients And self-esteem and other issues, to help patients build confidence, face the disease squarely, maintain the wisdom of the trials and challenges caused by tumors, and understand the meaning, value and joy of life for them and their loved ones.

Feng Wei (Director and Chief Physician of the Department of Psychological Medicine, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Fudan University)