More than 1 in 4 who have cancer, consider suicide...
Cancer patients are at a significantly higher risk of considering suicide compared to the general population [1]. UK studies have shown that cancer patients have a 20% increased risk of suicide, especially within the first six months of diagnosis [2]. This risk is even higher for cancers with poorer prognoses, such as pancreatic cancer and lung cancer. A study in the US reveals this number is 26% higher [3] when compared with the general population.
If you have suicidal thoughts, then consider what Sir Billy Conolly said:
"There are thousands of people in the local graveyard that would love to have your problem!".
When your mind just can't cope...
When faced with what it really means to be told you have cancer, many experience a whole range of emotions from shock, anger, anxiety, distress, depression, loneliness, and more.
For many, these feelings are not serial (one feeling doesn't always follow another). Many suffer multiple feelings at the same time. These feelings are common, both during and after cancer treatment. At times your brain may be so overloaded with negativity that it feels like its on fire and will explode.
It's important to recognize these feelings and get help if you need it. Sometimes, this is harder than you think!
How do you want to be remembered?
Swearing, shouting, being depressed and/or suicidal are valid reactions to being diagnosed with cancer. so, here's a thought that may help you focus on outcomes! How do you want your kids and grandkids to remember you?
- Eating ice cream at the park, or at the beach?
- Sitting on your hospital bed asking what all those tubes coming out of your body do?
How you react impacts people's memories of you!
"I don't bloody care"
is a sign of depression!
Depression can lead to suicidal thoughts and it's important to realise that it's not just those with advanced cancer, or those who have pain management issue who have these thoughts. One way to determine if you are depressed or not, is to consider any every-day scenario, e.g.:
- the grass needs cutting
- that wall could do with a fresh lick of paint
- the windows need a clean
If your attitude to these every day life activities, such as those above, is, "I just don't bloody care!" then, perhaps, its time to get psychological help. The sites below provide useful information and are worth a visit. There are no promises that a good psychologist will cut your grass, paint your walls, or clean your windows. However, they can help you understand your depression and may even come up with ways to help climb out of the depths of being in a bad place.
Visit these sites if you need help to understand and overcome depression:
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem...
Finding suicide rates of those with cancer is hard. Suicide rates among cancer patients are generally thought to be twice as high as that of the general population. In the US, a study found the suicide risk amongst cancer patients was 26% higher when compared with the general population.
Here's a quick and easy check to determine how suicidal you are: check your browser-history and if you find you visit more funeral sites than shopping, or porn sites, then perhaps it's time to talk to someone.
If you have even the remotest thoughts about suicide, then consider what Sir Billy Conolly said:
"There are thousands of people in the local graveyard that would love to have your problem!".
Don't underestimate the
power of a scream or the power of a boogie!
There are going to be occasions when your anger, sorrow, frustration, etc., is going to hurt you mentally in more ways than you can imagine. Logic just doesn't matter and there will times when you just need to to find a wide open space, take a deep breath and scream long and loud until you burst your lungs.
Another way of releasing tension is to gather some of your favourite upbeat and dance soundtracks on whatever your sound device is and find a wide open space and just dance and sing your socks off. Take a portable speaker to an open space with a few beers, wine, whatever, and with friends have a party in the park.
Screaming and dancing will release serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin which help promote happiness and pleasure while reducing depression and anxiety.
Key takeaways...
When trying to help someone:
- Don't (repeatedly) tell them to fight-it and stay strong.
- Don't offer medical advice.
- Sit and be with them even if they don't want to talk.
- It is their cancer, respect how they want (it) to be treated.
- Allow them to be negative and express their feelings in whatever way they want.
- Do NOT remind them of any negative behaviours that may have led to their cancer.
When trying to help yourself:
- If you can, try talking to you best friend, you don't have to say much.
- It's OK to cry, scream, etc. don't surpress these kind of feelings.
- If you can, go exercise and release those 'happy hormones'.
- Try to identify if there's a pattern, or trigger, that kicks off you depression.
- Go help others (with cancer) or people who just need small jobs done.
- Research has shown that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression in the majority of cases, so at least give it a try.