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michelle888 avatar

Help with cancer-related anxiety

Breast Cancer | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (24)

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Profile picture for Miriam, Volunteer Mentor @mir123

I'm glad you found Connect--and I think you can get some good suggestions here. Even though the diagnosis was some time ago, you might still be able to get into a group for people with breast cancer. Your oncologist/cancer center should know of the available ones. Also, I have a friend who is a social worker who told me that each state's social work organization maintains a list of counselors who will do volunteer therapy for free. This might be worth looking into. Counseling from a chaplain or clergy member should be free, and here again a cancer center should be able to refer to a non-denominational one. It isn't for everyone, but can be a support that is more generally spiritual than specific.
What activities or approaches have you found the most useful to you over the course of life--not just for cancer? Do you like to read, journal, walk, meditate or anything else? I've found all those activities help with anxiety in general. Also, if you like your PCP she or he can be a good resource and hopefully listen and advise. Keep in touch with us as you explore if you feel like it!

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Replies to "I'm glad you found Connect--and I think you can get some good suggestions here. Even though..."

@mir123 Thank you so much your advice. Checking with a social worker does seem like a good option.
I've lived with anxiety and depression for most of my life and I have developed some coping strategies (exercise and diet are a bit priority for me), but the anxiety seems to be more ramped up than usual. The cancer also kicked my body into menopause and I've heard that a lot of women struggle with anxiety during this time. Most recently, I have been meditating and am also considering trying yoga. I have done Pilates before but not yoga. But I do try to ride my bike through the park every day after work, then take my dog for a walk later in the evening.