When your partner is having a hard time with their mood, it can be hard to take care of them. It is important to end mental health issues for everyone.

It is normal for this to be an emotional time for the person undergoing treatment and their family. Karen E. Knudsen, chief executive officer of the The American Cancer Society., says that patients and caregivers should know that the symptoms are not uncommon.

This guide will help you understand the emotional toll of treatment and how you can help your partner through the rocky stages of recovery.

Potential causes for mood changes

  • Cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions can be a source of stress.
  • There are side effects of treatment.
  • Sexual function.
  • It is a pain.
  • Financial hardship.
  • Fear and anxiety are related.
  • Depression.

Dealing with cancer is frightening and can be very difficult.

From diagnosis to recovery, a person may experience fear, anxiety, Depression., and low self-esteem due to changes in their body image or sense of masculinity. Sexual There are side effects of treatment. can be especially difficult.

“The side effects of treatment for prostrate cancer include incontinence, which can have a severe impact on one’s sexual health, self-esteem, and perceived virility.”

Some men are worried if they will ever be able to lead healthy sexual lives again, and this can lead to anxiety and stress. This can cause a strain on relationships.

Mood shifts are a side effect of the hormone therapy used to treat some cases of prostate cancer. Other side effects include hot flashes, muscle weakness, fatigue, and weight gain, all of which can also affect moods.

The lower the testosterone levels of a patient, the less they can feel good.

Cancer treatment can also cause side effects that affect a person’s ability to work. A 2020 review of 21 articles identified three ways that prostate cancer treatment can impact a patient’s ability to work. For one, prostate cancer treatment may cause urinary incontinence, an embarrassing problem that complicates working outside the home.

“People with cancer can’t get back to work as fast as they would like due to recovery time.”

Taking time from work for cancer treatment can lead to financial stress.

As early as the diagnosis phase, your partner may start to experience anxiety while waiting for more information about whether they have prostate cancer, what treatment will be needed, and how advanced the cancer is.

They may benefit from talking with other people with the same disease.

It is possible that receiving a diagnosis of a cancer will make you fear it. Men can survive for a long time after being diagnosed with a cancer, but there is a fear of death.

“Communication may be difficult due to the emotional strain. Even if your partner doesn’t tell you what’s wrong, you can tell that they’re struggling emotionally.”

Knudsen suggests that a plan for both the patient and the caregivers is needed to support their emotional well-being during cancer treatment.

“Regularly reviewing these strategies will be important, as needs can change along the course of prostate cancer treatment,” Knudsen says.

Try Mental Health America’s tips for having difficult conversations about mental health:

  • Give your full attention and summaries what you hear.
  • “How can you help? If they don’t know what would make them feel better, make a few suggestions.”
  • “Don’t judge, minimize, or criticize.”
  • “Offer to accompany them to a doctor’s appointment, a support group, or any activity that seems overwhelming.”

“You don’t have to feel helpless when your loved one is struggling. These are some good first steps for helping a partner deal with a change in mood during a treatment.”

  1. Listen to your partner. I was told as a child that we were born with only one mouth. I have taken this to mean that we should listen more and watch less. People who are suffering from prostrate cancer should be watched and listened to.
  2. Affirm what they say. Let them know you hear them and how they feel.
  3. Encourage them to talk with people they know.
  4. Listen to what they are not saying. Your partner may not feel comfortable with you being vulnerable. They may need support from other patients or a mental health professional.
  5. If they’re not comfortable talking with others, suggest they try writing about their feelings as a way to process them.
  6. You should have your own emotional support in place. It is a huge job. You will experience stress and fatigue. During cancer treatment, both caregivers and patients should participate in support groups.
  7. Give support groups a try. “Support groups have been shown in scientific studies to increase mental health and reduce psychological distress in prostate cancer patients,” Knudsen says. Check out the The American Cancer Society.’s prostate cancer survivors network.
  8. If mood changes are a side effect of treatment, keep doctors informed.

I was told as a child that we were born with only one mouth. I think this means that we should listen and watch more than we speak. People with a loved one suffering from cancer should watch and listen.

Neither you nor your partner are alone in your prostate cancer journey. It may be helpful to keep a list of people, contact information, and places you can reach out to for mental health support, including the following:

  • The treatment team has doctors and healthcare professionals on it.
  • Family members and friends who are nearby can help with practical matters or listen when you need someone to talk with.
  • There are support groups for cancer patients.
  • A person who works as a therapist or counselor. Your cancer treatment center may be able to connect you with counseling services.
  • You can talk to other patients and caregivers.

“During a treatment for cancer, caring for a partner can affect everyone’s emotions and moods. It is important to know that support is available during this emotional time.”