Getting diagnosed with cancer as a teen or young adult is life-changing. It doesn’t just affect your body—it also affects your mind and emotions. Many young people with cancer feel sad, stressed, or worried about the future. Some struggle with feeling different from their friends, and others deal with fear, loneliness, or anxiety.
Daily Life:
The teen and young adult years are full of big life moments—going to school, making friends, and planning for the future. Many young people with cancer can feel like they are missing out on important experiences, which can lead to frustration and sadness.
The physical side effects of cancer can also make teens feel like they look different from others, causing self inflicted isolation. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can also change how a person looks and feels. Hair loss, weight changes, or scars can make young people feel self-conscious or insecure, and can add to feelings of being different. Some may also feel too tired or sick to do the things they love, making them feel disconnected from their old life.
Another big disruption to day to day life, is a hinderance in career and education goals. Most teens are forced to miss long periods of school, which can make them feel behind their peers, and can also make them worry about how it will affect their future plans. It can be hard to remain positive and engage when worries like this occur.
During and After treatment:
Cancer is not just hard when going through treatment—it can also affect mental health long after treatment ends. Many survivors worry about their cancer coming back or feel like they have changed so much that they don’t fit in with their old friends anymore. Many teens also experience difficulties connecting with new and old friends because they feel as though they have gone through different life experiences and feel like they can not connect.
Some common feelings young people with cancer experience include anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low self esteem. Although these emotions can be normal, they shouldn’t be ignored.
Importance of Mental Health Support:
It's important to recognize when a teen or young adult may need extra help with their mental health. Some warning signs include:
Feeling sad or hopeless most of the time
Avoiding family and friends
Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy
Struggling to concentrate or feeling exhausted all the time
Mental health care is an essential component of cancer treatment. Having a professional like a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist can provide young people with the tools to work through their emotions and cope with what they've been through. Support groups can also be incredibly beneficial, allowing young cancer patients and survivors to meet others who share a genuine understanding of their struggle. Just being honest with family and friends about what they're going through can eliminate feelings of loneliness and create a healthy support system.
Some common ways to help teenagers cope with mental health problems caused by cancer include counseling and therapy, support groups, mindfulness and relaxation, journaling, mild exercise if possible, and creative outlets.
Cancer affects more than just the body—it impacts emotions, relationships, and future plans. But with the right support, such as talking to a counselor, joining a support group, or opening up to friends and family can make a big difference, young people with cancer can find ways to cope and feel more hopeful. No one should have to go through cancer alone, and mental health support is just as important as physical care.
Sources:
Comments