Let's Talk About Mental Health
- Comedian and lung cancer survivor Kathy Griffin, 62, recently shared she was diagnosed with complex PTSD (CPTSD).
- Just the other day, she took to Instagram live to cope with an anxiety attack caused by her CPTSD. She says talking to fans and doing her makeup to keep her hands and mind busy helps the attack pass.
- Mental health should be a priority whether you’ve survived a cancer battle or not.
- Symptoms of a mental health issue can vary greatly from person to person, but it’s always a good idea to talk with a doctor or mental health professional if you’re noticing changes with your emotions, behaviors or physical body.
- One of our experts says talk therapy can help deal with negative emotions that arise from a cancer journey.
The 62-year-old comedian shared she was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer as a non-smoker in Aug. 2021. She’s since said she’s cancer-free, but she’s been on a lengthy journey of recovery.
Read More"Sometimes they last a few hours or more typically, they last at least a full day if not multiple days in a row. I feel silly even telling you this, because I always thought PTSD was just for veterans and stuff. During my attacks, I typically vomit quite a bit and often have to go to the ER just to get IV fluids. Anybody else? 😬😅"
Mental Health for Cancer Survivors
Generally speaking, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary or dangerous event. Complex PTSD, according to the Cleveland Clinic, can result from experiencing chronic (long-term) trauma.
CPTSD involves stress responses, such as:
- Anxiety.
- Having flashbacks or nightmares.
- Avoiding situations, places and other things related to the traumatic event.
- Heightened emotional responses, such as impulsivity or aggressiveness.
- Persistent difficulties in sustaining relationships.
- Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is the main treatment for complex PTSD.
Griffin said her PTSD began about five years ago, before her cancer journey, but her cancer diagnosis certainly "didn't help" the situation.
Thankfully, she’s been figuring out ways to cope with her anxiety attacks. Sometimes she takes a walk by the ocean, and recently, she went live on Instagram to talk with fans as she did her makeup.
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“I’m having an anxiety attack, so I’m gonna do my makeup and talk to you guys,” she said at the start of her video.
“I’m actually having a dinner party in an hour and 15 minutes, and I have been getting this anxiety attack to go away by keeping my hands busy, keeping my mind busy, and the big news is I haven’t vomited, so I think I’m gonna be OK.”
Griffin went on by also sharing that she was pleased with the progress in her vocal cord recovery.
“My voice is coming back you guys,” she said. “I’m very, very excited about that.”
The Importance of Mental Health for Cancer Survivors Like Kathy Griffin
As Kathy Griffin has shown, mental health should be a priority whether you’ve survived a cancer battle or not. And when it comes to taking care of your mental health, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of mental illness.
According to the Mayo Clinic, examples of signs and symptoms include:
- Feeling sad or down
- Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
- Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
- Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
- Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
- Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
- Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
- Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
- Problems with alcohol or drug use
- Major changes in eating habits
- Sex drive changes
- Excessive anger, hostility or violence
- Suicidal thinking
Sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder can manifest as physical problems like stomach pain, back pain, headaches or other unexplained aches and pains.
If you ever experience any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, promptly see your doctor or a mental health professional. And remember that symptoms of a mental health disease or issue can vary greatly from person to person.
Dealing with Grief after a Cancer Diagnosis
Dr. Scott Irwin, a psychiatrist and director of supportive care services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, previously talked to SurvivorNet about coping with mental health struggles after a cancer diagnosis.
“Talk therapy really is the way to deal with these emotions,” he explained.
“It’s about meeting the individual patient where they are and their feelings, how they’ve always dealt with their body image, what the body image changes mean now in their lives and their relationships, and how they can move forward given the new reality.”
Ni Guttenfelder is a cancer survivor who would support Dr. Irwin’s views on talk therapy.
After her ovarian cancer diagnosis in October 2017, she decided to find a therapist to help her process her feelings. Unfortunately, her first therapist wasn’t the right fit.
"Initially I went to a session where I just cried and the counselor basically told me what I was feeling was normal and didn't offer me any type of feedback. But I knew that I needed something more than that. Not just a crying session and a pat on my shoulder," she told SurvivorNet.
"What I have found is that it's critical to find the right counselor, not just any counselor."
After finding a counselor she truly trusted, Guttenfelder began to see some clarity.
"One of the things that my counselor has taught me from the very beginning that has helped me is the concept of acceptance," she said. "Acceptance is a process. It's like downloading a computer file in increments. Visualizing it in that way has really helped me."
Outside of therapy, support groups, medication and meditation are other ways to address mental health struggles.
At the end of the day, all that matters if that you’re working to feel better and not pushing any mental health issues aside. Don’t be afraid to talk to a doctor or mental health professional for advice on where to turn.
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