PTSD Post Cancer: The Battle Doesn’t End With Remission
There is oftentimes a misconception from outsiders of what remission means. The words “You’re cancer free” is supposed to be the moment everything gets better. While these words come with an instant relief, there are many other emotions and hardships to follow. Loved ones celebrate and breathe a sigh of relief expecting life to return to normal. But for many survivors, remission doesn’t mean the battle is over.
For countless individuals who have faced cancer, the end of treatment is not the end of the emotional and psychological struggle. Instead, many survivors find themselves facing a new and unexpected challenge: post-traumatic stress.
Cancer may leave the body, but the trauma of the experience often lingers.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop after someone has experienced or witnessed a life-threatening or deeply traumatic event. PTSD is most often associated with combat or violence, but it is actually a condition that impacts individuals far wider including cancer survivors and even their care takers.
Survivors may struggle with:
- Intrusive memories
- Fear of recurrence
- Difficulty sleeping / night terrors
- Increased sense of fear surrounding their health
- Feelings of isolation
Even in remission, the body and mind may still feel like they are in “survival mode,” making it difficult to fully move forward after cancer. The book The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. is a #1 New York Times bestseller and a great read for those looking to learn even more about trauma in our body.
The Power of Community
Remission IS a victory, but the path to feeling like you again takes time, support, and compassion. Survivors need a strong community around them as the fight is not over. It’s just different. There are emotional scars to battle now and that healing is a gradual journey.
A journey to learn how to move forward with hope.
How to process trauma.
How to acknowledge fear.
The battle may not end the day cancer does. Yet with the right support, survivors can find their way forward—stronger, resilient, and surrounded by people who care. And no one should have to walk that lonely road alone.
With Love,
