Some patients with gynecological and neoplastic diseases deal with a traumatic experience. This experience leads them to a deep process of psychological repression, as well as inhibition.
On the other hand, the female organs are important in a woman's self-esteem, being fundamental in her social, relationship and couple life.
Women with gynecological diseases sometimes change their anatomy, and present problems in their affective and family life.
The professional support, in our department of psychology and sexology, can accompany and help women with problems of this type. We find alternative formulas to sadness and anguish.
On Institute of Dra. Gómez Roig, in Barcelona, we treat gynecological and neoplastic diseases, improving the quality of life, and providing renewed desire for strength and enthusiasm.
We offer some appropriate medical services, so that women can continue their vital project in harmony with themselves and with their environment.
How do gynecological and neoplastic diseases affect mental health?
Patients with serious gynecological diseases and cancer have a high rate of emotional affectation that affects the mental health. These patients frequently show accompanying and nonspecific psychological disorders.
The prevalence of psychological distressamong cancer patients can be as high as 85%.
However, it is estimated that less than 50% of patients are identified and referred for adequate Psychological treatment.
The emotional disorders that develop in cancer patients may be associated with poorer results in the treatment and follow-up of the disease.
How do we adapt to a disease?
We do not always adapt in a desirable way to disease.
Exposure to stressful events, such as a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, can cause psychological disorders.
In addition, many patients think that stress has been the cause of cancer. They also believe, in most cases, that the disease will be aggravated by increased exposure to stress.
These worries can generate anguish and despair.
The psychological anguish that appears when you are informed of an unexpected pathology can occur at different moments in the process:
- During diagnostic tests.
- At the moment they communicate the pathology to you.
- At the start of treatment.
- If the disease reappears or recurs.
The severity of distress can fluctuate at different times, and can manifest with a variety of symptoms:
- Appearance of fear
- Fear for an uncertain future
- Memory impairment
- Concern about family roles
- Thoughts of death
Physical symptoms, such as lack of sleep and appetite, may also occur.
Emotional distress can range from the appearance of sadness, poor life quality, depressive disorders and anxiety disorders.
Although anxiety is not a psychiatric disorder. Anguish that does not subside and increases over time is a criterion for diagnosing a adjustment disorder.
Sometimes these disorders also appear in family members.
How does adjustment disorder influence cancer patients?
The adjustment disorder influences the physical and mental health of the patient.
Severe psychological distress in cancer patients is associated with poor outcomes, such as non-adherence to cancer treatment and control, and poorer quality of life.
Furthermore, distress is associated with decreased survival in many studies.
How prevalent is adjustment disorder?
The prevalence of adjustment disorders in cancer patients is approximately 10 to 20%.
The risk factors for developing emotional distress include:
- Previous history of psychiatric disorders.
- History of physical or sexual abuse.
- Cognitive impairment.
- Communication barriers.
- Uncontrolled symptoms of cancer.
- Severe accompanying general medical illness.
- Family problems.
- Social and family loneliness.
- Economic problems.
How is maladaptation to gynecological and neoplastic diseases detected?
To detect cases of maladjustment to a serious illness, it is suggested that doctors think about this possible emotional affectation.
It is important that evaluations are carried out to ensure a good psychological state while monitoring diagnosis and treatment.
The objective of the medical examination is to detect the serious anxieties, prevalent, little recognized and treatable. There are standardized and valid detection tools.
Screening for psychological disorders in cancer patients appears to facilitate communication between patients and physicians.
Adjustment disorders are frequently diagnosed if the cancer causes psychological disturbances.
The diagnosis of adjustment disorder requires each of the following criteria:
– Emotional symptoms, for example: depression or anxiety or behavioral disturbances.
– The symptoms are significant such as:
- Significant distress that exceeds expectations.
- Affectation in the social or work environment.
– The syndrome does not meet the criteria for another psychiatric disorder, for example, major depression or widespread anxiety disorder.
– It is not an exacerbation of a pre-existing psychiatric disorder.
– It does not represent a mourning phase.
– After the stressor and its consequences disappear, the syndrome resolves within 6 months.
At the same time, when making the diagnosis of adjustment disorder, doctors may specify whether the disorder occurs with:
Anxiety: Nervousness or worry.
Depressed mood: Sadness, tears or despair.
Mixed anxiety and depressed mood: Both anxiety and depression.
- Behavioral disturbance: Behavior changes.
Mixed disturbance of emotions and behavior: Emotional and behavioral symptoms.
How do you react when they tell you that you have something serious or cancer?
When you are informed that you have an important disease or cancer, your body reacts and new sensations appear.
Symptoms may suddenly appear, which with the passage of time may partly subside:
- Fatigue: distressing, persistent, and subjective feeling of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion related to the illness or cancer.
- Mourning: includes sadness, anxiety, anger, disbelief and longing for past health.
- Insomnia: Cancer patients often experience symptoms of insomnia.
- Pain: affects most aspects of a person's life, physical functioning, activities of daily living, mental health and social interactions.
- Personality traits and disorders: Cancer patients may manifest different personality traits or personality disorders. Behavior with excessive control, demanding and unrealistic expectations usually appears.
- Disorder of post-traumatic stress: Many patients diagnosed with a life-threatening form of cancer experience symptoms of acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Sexual dysfunction.
How can it affect the family?
The family of a patient with a serious disorder or cancer is also affected emotionally.
More than 50% of the care that cancer patients receive is provided by family caregivers.
This type of care is associated with stress and emotional problems.
As an example, a small study of 91 family caregivers found that mental health of relatives was worse than that of people who had no patients in their care.
On the other hand, 62% of caregivers reported that their emotional well-being had worsened.
Anxiety and depression were present in approximately 40% of the caregivers, and sleep disorders and fatigue were also common.
The affectation of family members who care for the sick can negatively affect the emotional well-being of patients, and the anguish in patients can negatively affect the well-being of caregivers.
All the people involved in the process are important.
We must not forget the companions of the patients, as they can also be affected on a mental level.
In the Institute of Gynecology in Barcelona, by Dr. Gómez Roig,we take care of the emotional health of patients and their caregivers.
The psychology department offers this medical service to whoever needs it.
Our expert psychologist will guide you to prevent and treat emotional and mental well-being.
Feeling healthy on an emotional level is essential for a good management of gynecological and neoplastic diseases.
We always accompany you.
Adaptation of UptoDate 2019
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- About the Author
- Last tickets
Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona. Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Coordinator of the Sixth Course of Medicine at the University of Barcelona, UB. Director of the Dra. Gómez Roig Institute and Coordinator of Obstetric and Gynecological Processes at the Corachan Clinic in Barcelona.