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PTSD and Cancer

cbh2007
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Hey! I'm 15 years old and I got my all clear after having chemo for Lymphoma in late 2015. 

I just wanted to talk about how PTSD can be related to having a life threatening illness. Usually when you read about PTSD and trauma related to it they always associate it around being in the military etc etc - which is totally understandable, I just wanted to talk about how some don't "believe" that illnesses can be a factor within PTSD.

The thing is, it isn't just the overall aspect of having the illness, it's the hospital, the surgeries you possibly had, the losing your hair, the pain, the words "life threatening" swirling around your head. Having cancer and the whole process you go through during it is traumatic and I think definitely can cause PTSD. 

Other survivors like me will also relate when I say it's hard to live everyday with the fear of it happening again and replaying what happened over and over again in your head. I regularly experience flashbacks and often panic attacks due to my experience, but luckily I have a fantastic psychologist helping me manage this to control and lessen my symptoms!:) 

If you are a survivor and are struggling with the the post-cancer life, even if it's been some time (it's been about a year and a bit for me) then do not be afraid to speak up and ask for help! I know how hard it is to adjust to the "new normal" after chemo. Chloe x 

  • Hi Chloe, 

    Thank you for sharing your story with us. I know that we have had members here in the past who have been diagnosed with PTSD following on from treatment for cancer so please don't feel that you're alone in your experience. 

    It sounds like you have a wise head on your shoulders and I'm really glad to hear that you have someone who is supporting you professionally through this to help you find your "new normal" post-cancer treatment & I'm confident that you will get through this just as you have other things. 

    Sending you our best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

     

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    Hi Chloe,

    Thanks for your interesting post. The association of PTSD and Cancer is well documented and awareness is slowly increasing. There's an interesting study which you might want to use as evidence in any discussions you have with deniers at discovery.ucl.ac.uk/.../U592700 Redacted.PDF

    Interestingly, the NHS Choices page on PTSD doesn't include this as a cause - I'm about to contact them to complain about their omission! 

    Best wishes

    Dave

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    Hello Chloe, 

    I want not only to say how pleased I am that you are getting help for your symptoms, but to compliment you on such a well written, lucid and interesting post - you seem wise beyond your years!!!  (I hope you don't find that patronising, because I really mean it.)  What you say will certainly ring a bell with many people on here, me for one, but I have never really thought about it being PTSD to be honest, so you are much wiser than me, and I am 72!  Thanks for pointing it out. 

    I hope you continue to be as well as possible and have a long and happy life - you certainly deserve it after all you've been through.

    Take care, Hazel xx

     

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    Chloe, you are so brave! this is the first time I visit this chat and yours was the first post I read. I'm doing my chemo treatment and often wonder what would life be like afterwards. Your words helped me. Thank you. Chin up darling and look always for the beauty in life. Mariana
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    Hi Chloe 

    I agree I have never found the traumatic of cancer and the treatment listed a a cause for PTS D and thought I was alone since suppressed memories came flooding back from the age of 17 in the form of flashbacks and night terrors. A few moments at a time at first upto reliving what seemed at first a whole day several nights a week

    You should be so proud of you self for seeking the proper help..I have never been quite brave enough to  admit it instead  write down in intricate detail after each episode and ordering a set of my medical notes to read through and try and make sense of memories. 

    This however worked ,after about 3 years, the dreams have stopped, I can usually control the flashbacks though I have yet to treat my needle phobia 

    All the best ...never give up 

    Chloe (alias midnight fish) 

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