Following treatment, most cancer survivors do quite well. Some, however, experience anxiety and depression, which is normal and common, but at the extreme, anxiety and depressive disorders can cause prolonged distress. Symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders may include excessive worrying, anxiety about upcoming scans, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, being easily fatigued, depressed mood, diminished interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, and irritability. These symptoms all can interfere with daily activities at home and at work.
A Helpful Coping Strategy For many cancer survivors, cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a helpful and effective coping strategy for managing symptoms of anxiety and depression and improving quality of life. CBT is an evidence-based therapeutic approach based on the belief that how we think, our actions, and our behaviors can shape the quality of our lives. CBT is designed to reduce distress through a combination of techniques meant to help cancer survivors modify unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and learned responses.
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