Mental Health2025-01-16T16:17:44+00:00

Mental Health

Colorectal cancer doesn’t just impact physical health, it impacts mental health too. Research shows that
colorectal cancer is associated with anxiety and depression.

Mental Health

Colorectal cancer doesn’t just impact physical health, it impacts mental health too. Research shows that colorectal cancer is associated with anxiety and depression.

Every day, we hear stories of patients and caregivers who vulnerably share that mental health challenges are an important aspect of facing the disease.

There’s a need for greater psychosocial support for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Even when screened for depressive disorders, anxiety, and cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), many patients may not be receiving the help they need, especially if they are coping by “putting on a happy face” when they are also battling a depressive disorder.

Every day, we hear stories of patients and caregivers who vulnerably share that mental health challenges are an important aspect of facing the disease.

There’s a need for greater psychosocial support for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Even when screened for depressive disorders, anxiety, and cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), many patients may not be receiving the help they need, especially if they are coping by “putting on a happy face” when they are also battling a depressive disorder.

What does “psychosocial” mean?

When discussing cancer and medicine in general, the term “psychosocial” refers to the mental, emotional, and spiritual impacts of a disease. So, when discussing the need for psychosocial support, we’re talking about supporting a patient’s mental health and their social, emotional, and spiritual health. This support can take the form of counseling, group therapy, education, and spiritual counseling and support.

What does “psychosocial” mean?

When discussing cancer and medicine in general, the term “psychosocial” refers to the mental, emotional, and spiritual impacts of a disease. So, when discussing the need for psychosocial support, we’re talking about supporting a patient’s mental health and their social, emotional, and spiritual health. This support can take the form of counseling, group therapy, education, and spiritual counseling and support.

Signs of depression

Many people who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer experience a range of emotions, like sadness and grief, that ebb and flow throughout the cancer continuum. This also goes for family members or friends of someone who is diagnosed.

While these are normal reactions to experience upon a cancer diagnosis, depressive disorders can be more serious, requiring special attention.

The American Psychological Association (APA) outlines some common symptoms of depression, including:

Other Symptoms2025-01-08T19:34:33+00:00
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Withdrawal from social activities, or activities that you normally enjoy
Changes in thinking2025-01-08T19:33:34+00:00
  • These symptoms can be subtle, but powerful. Symptoms include pessimism, such as “viewing the glass half full” or difficulty concentrating and paying attention, which can impact your work or school life, or general indecisiveness.
  • Suicidal thoughts or recurrent thoughts of death may also be present, which may be pervasive and difficult to dismiss.
Emotional changes2025-01-08T19:32:11+00:00

This can manifest as deep sadness, feeling overwhelmed, feelings of powerlessness, guilt, loneliness, and in serious cases, feelings of hopelessness.

Changes in appetite2025-01-08T19:31:29+00:00

This can manifest as over- or under-eating, resulting in either weight gain or loss.

Changes in sleep habits2025-01-08T19:30:43+00:00

This may include sleeping more or less than is normal for you, difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, and awaking the next day feeling unrested and groggy.

The APA also notes that depression is the most common mental disorder.

Do not ignore signs of depression; the first step in treating these conditions is through acknowledgment. Depressive disorders, anxiety, and cancer-related PTSD add excess stress to the body which is trying to heal and fight cancer, and some studies have suggested patients with mental illness may have poorer clinical outcomes.

Signs of depression

Many people who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer experience a range of emotions, like sadness and grief, that ebb and flow throughout the cancer continuum. This also goes for family members or friends of someone who is diagnosed.

While these are normal reactions to experience upon a cancer diagnosis, depressive disorders can be more serious, requiring special attention.

The American Psychological Association (APA) outlines some common symptoms of depression, including:

Other Symptoms2025-01-08T19:34:33+00:00
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Withdrawal from social activities, or activities that you normally enjoy
Changes in thinking2025-01-08T19:33:34+00:00
  • These symptoms can be subtle, but powerful. Symptoms include pessimism, such as “viewing the glass half full” or difficulty concentrating and paying attention, which can impact your work or school life, or general indecisiveness.
  • Suicidal thoughts or recurrent thoughts of death may also be present, which may be pervasive and difficult to dismiss.
Emotional changes2025-01-08T19:32:11+00:00

This can manifest as deep sadness, feeling overwhelmed, feelings of powerlessness, guilt, loneliness, and in serious cases, feelings of hopelessness.

Changes in appetite2025-01-08T19:31:29+00:00

This can manifest as over- or under-eating, resulting in either weight gain or loss.

Changes in sleep habits2025-01-08T19:30:43+00:00

This may include sleeping more or less than is normal for you, difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, and awaking the next day feeling unrested and groggy.

The APA also notes that depression is the most common mental disorder.

Do not ignore signs of depression; the first step in treating these conditions is through acknowledgment. Depressive disorders, anxiety, and cancer-related PTSD add excess stress to the body which is trying to heal and fight cancer, and some studies have suggested patients with mental illness may have poorer clinical outcomes.

Signs of anxiety disorder

Depression and anxiety go hand-in-hand, but they are not the same thing. It’s also important to note that like depression, some levels of anxiety are to be expected. Facing colorectal cancer is unnerving for everyone involved, and feeling fearful, sad, mad, angry and anxious is more than appropriate. However, unchecked anxiety that negatively affects your life may point to a bigger problem needs to be addressed.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include:

  • Persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities
  • Physical symptoms

    • Restlessness
    • Feeling “on edge” constantly
    • Muscle tension
    • Sleep disturbances
  • General tension and difficulty relaxing
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger worry, such as schoolwork or tasks at work

Anxiety may share some symptoms with depression, and they are often experienced together, but they are different. Anxiety refers specifically to worrying about the future to an extent that is detrimental to your wellbeing. It is often used interchangeably with the term “fear,” but it is distinct in that fear is an appropriate response to a dangerous situation, while anxiety is an excessive and persistent response to worry about the future.

Signs of anxiety disorder

Depression and anxiety go hand-in-hand, but they are not the same thing. It’s also important to note that like depression, some levels of anxiety are to be expected. Facing colorectal cancer is unnerving for everyone involved, and feeling fearful, sad, mad, angry and anxious is more than appropriate. However, unchecked anxiety that negatively affects your life may point to a bigger problem needs to be addressed.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include:

  • Persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities
  • Physical symptoms

    • Restlessness
    • Feeling “on edge” constantly
    • Muscle tension
    • Sleep disturbances
  • General tension and difficulty relaxing
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger worry, such as schoolwork or tasks at work

Anxiety may share some symptoms with depression, and they are often experienced together, but they are different. Anxiety refers specifically to worrying about the future to an extent that is detrimental to your wellbeing. It is often used interchangeably with the term “fear,” but it is distinct in that fear is an appropriate response to a dangerous situation, while anxiety is an excessive and persistent response to worry about the future.

Getting Help

If you notice you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, there’s help available.

Many patients and caregivers struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns have found some relief through prescription medications like anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. There are multiple options to consider, as well as multiple dosages. If you’re interested in medication management, speak with your healthcare team. Your medical doctors overseeing your care can prescribe medications, as can any nurse practitioners or psychologists involved in your case.
Several tools involved in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have been found to improve mental health. Strategies like aromatherapy, meditation, yoga, massage, cannabis, deep breathing, and others have not only been found helpful by patients, but they’ve been researched and proven effective.
Talking to someone about what you’re facing is an important step for mental health. Cancer does not happen in a vacuum, and it often compounds other life stressors. A professional can help you work through your emotions and the situations you’re facing. This can be very helpful as you cope with cancer.

When it comes to seeking mental health support, here’s a few of the types of professionals who can help:

Getting Help

If you notice you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, there’s help available.

Many patients and caregivers struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns have found some relief through prescription medications like anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. There are multiple options to consider, as well as multiple dosages. If you’re interested in medication management, speak with your healthcare team. Your medical doctors overseeing your care can prescribe medications, as can any nurse practitioners or psychologists involved in your case.
Several tools involved in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have been found to improve mental health. Strategies like aromatherapy, meditation, yoga, massage, cannabis, deep breathing, and others have not only been found helpful by patients, but they’ve been researched and proven effective.
Talking to someone about what you’re facing is an important step for mental health. Cancer does not happen in a vacuum, and it often compounds other life stressors. A professional can help you work through your emotions and the situations you’re facing. This can be very helpful as you cope with cancer.

When it comes to seeking mental health support, here’s a few of the types of professionals who can help:

Licensed Counselors/Therapists

The terms counselor and therapist are often used interchangeably, but there may be distinctions on titles depending on location, credentials, and the education they received. Generally, both counselors and therapists will have undergone specific training to help patients deal with social or mental problems, such as substance abuse, marriage or relationship problems, or mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression. Credentialing and licensing will vary based on location and specialty, but generally will hold some form of the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) license. There are many different types of licensing available for counselors and therapists. If you are unsure how your counselor is licensed, ask them!

Many therapists work in private practice, and some work in community groups and nonprofits focused on mental health. Some may take insurance, but many do not.

Social Workers

Social workers may be trained to provide therapy to individuals and undergo specific education and training to do so. Social workers, however, often have a specific emphasis on connecting patients with their community and the support systems and services available there. Social workers can help you find and engage with support organizations within your community that you may not have otherwise been aware of. They can also help you navigate applying for disability, help manage your care or set up appointments, and generally provide support as you deal with your diagnosis. You can access social work through the hospital in which you are being treated, or by contacting your doctor’s office and asking them to get you in contact with one. You may also search the internet for community based social workers in your area.

To be a social worker, you must hold a degree in social work, which may be either a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work), MSW (Master of Social Work), or DSW or PhD (Doctor of Social Work).

Social workers can be found in hospitals as part of cancer care teams, as well as private practice settings. Most take insurance. Depending on how you utilize a social worker, their services may be billed to your insurance, offered free of charge (on a needs-based basis), or covered by the hospital in which you are staying as part of your “work up.”

Psychologists

A psychologist is someone who has attended graduate school in psychology. The American Psychological Association recognizes doctoral degrees as being the minimum level of education required to be called a psychologist – these degrees include PhD, PsyD, and EdD. Psychologists undergo extensive schooling and training in order to help patients work through and understand mental problems they may be experiencing. Psychologists work in a wide variety of settings and practice in a variety of different ways. Psychologists are licensed to work in their area of practice and depending on the state they live in and additional training they received, may be able to prescribe some medications.

Psychologists can be found in hospitals as part of cancer care teams, as well as private practice settings. Most take insurance.

Psychiatrists

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders. Psychiatrists go to medical school like other doctors, and then receive specialty psychiatric training during residency. Psychiatrists can and do prescribe medications to treat mental disorders, and they may also engage in some form of talk therapy with their patients in combination with drug therapy. Nurse practitioners who work alongside psychiatrists can also offer services to patients and prescribe medication.

Psychiatrists can be found in hospitals as part of cancer care teams, as well as private practice settings. Most take insurance.

Life Coaches

Life coaches meet with their clients to help them work towards and achieve goals in their life. They may have some specialty training to do this, or they might not. Their goal is to help their clients achieve change in their lives to improve their overall well-being and happiness. There is no formal schooling required to be a life coach and minimal, if any, regulation on who may call themselves a life coach.

Many life coaches work in private practice, and unless they are credentialed with another specialty (like a licensed counselor), they will not take insurance.

Licensed Counselors/Therapists

The terms counselor and therapist are often used interchangeably, but there may be distinctions on titles depending on location, credentials, and the education they received. Generally, both counselors and therapists will have undergone specific training to help patients deal with social or mental problems, such as substance abuse, marriage or relationship problems, or mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression. Credentialing and licensing will vary based on location and specialty, but generally will hold some form of the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) license. There are many different types of licensing available for counselors and therapists. If you are unsure how your counselor is licensed, ask them!

Many therapists work in private practice, and some work in community groups and nonprofits focused on mental health. Some may take insurance, but many do not.

Social Workers

Social workers may be trained to provide therapy to individuals and undergo specific education and training to do so. Social workers, however, often have a specific emphasis on connecting patients with their community and the support systems and services available there. Social workers can help you find and engage with support organizations within your community that you may not have otherwise been aware of. They can also help you navigate applying for disability, help manage your care or set up appointments, and generally provide support as you deal with your diagnosis. You can access social work through the hospital in which you are being treated, or by contacting your doctor’s office and asking them to get you in contact with one. You may also search the internet for community based social workers in your area.

To be a social worker, you must hold a degree in social work, which may be either a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work), MSW (Master of Social Work), or DSW or PhD (Doctor of Social Work).

Social workers can be found in hospitals as part of cancer care teams, as well as private practice settings. Most take insurance. Depending on how you utilize a social worker, their services may be billed to your insurance, offered free of charge (on a needs-based basis), or covered by the hospital in which you are staying as part of your “work up.”

Psychologists

A psychologist is someone who has attended graduate school in psychology. The American Psychological Association recognizes doctoral degrees as being the minimum level of education required to be called a psychologist – these degrees include PhD, PsyD, and EdD. Psychologists undergo extensive schooling and training in order to help patients work through and understand mental problems they may be experiencing. Psychologists work in a wide variety of settings and practice in a variety of different ways. Psychologists are licensed to work in their area of practice and depending on the state they live in and additional training they received, may be able to prescribe some medications.

Psychologists can be found in hospitals as part of cancer care teams, as well as private practice settings. Most take insurance.

Psychiatrists

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders. Psychiatrists go to medical school like other doctors, and then receive specialty psychiatric training during residency. Psychiatrists can and do prescribe medications to treat mental disorders, and they may also engage in some form of talk therapy with their patients in combination with drug therapy. Nurse practitioners who work alongside psychiatrists can also offer services to patients and prescribe medication.

Psychiatrists can be found in hospitals as part of cancer care teams, as well as private practice settings. Most take insurance.

Life Coaches

Life coaches meet with their clients to help them work towards and achieve goals in their life. They may have some specialty training to do this, or they might not. Their goal is to help their clients achieve change in their lives to improve their overall well-being and happiness. There is no formal schooling required to be a life coach and minimal, if any, regulation on who may call themselves a life coach.

Many life coaches work in private practice, and unless they are credentialed with another specialty (like a licensed counselor), they will not take insurance.

Mental Health Resources

Mental health is one piece of an integrative approach to health and well-being. We are not our bodies alone, but are also mental, emotional, and spiritual beings. All parts are interrelated, and, thus, caring for our mental and emotional dimensions is also caring for our physical bodies. This is why survivors with psychosocial support report higher quality of life than those without it.

Helplines and Hotlines

Cancer Care Hopeline: 800-813-HOPE
Cancer support helpline: 1-888-793-9355
LGBT national hotline: 888-843-4564
National Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI
TRANS Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
Veterans crisis line: 1-800-273-8255

Mental Health Resources

Mental health is one piece of an integrative approach to health and well-being. We are not our bodies alone, but are also mental, emotional, and spiritual beings. All parts are interrelated, and, thus, caring for our mental and emotional dimensions is also caring for our physical bodies. This is why survivors with psychosocial support report higher quality of life than those without it.

Helplines and Hotlines

Cancer Care: 800-813-HOPE
Cancer support: 1-888-793-9355
LGBT hotline: 888-843-4564
National Suicide: 1-800-273-TALK
NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI
TRANS Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
Veterans crisis: 1-800-273-8255