Receiving a multiple myeloma diagnosis is never easy. “Take a deep breath. Seek out information from reputable sources, and know that there are new treatments being developed all the time,” said Lisa McLaughlin, MSW, LSW, OSW-C, lead social worker at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper in Camden, New Jersey.
Every person with cancer’s journey is different, but it’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed, stressed or have big emotions you don’t know what to do with. Here are five tips that may help you manage your mental health.
Tip 1: Speak to a Counselor/Psychologist
Feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear, for example, can exact heavy tolls on everyday life. Signs you may need mental health support are:
- You’re feeling self-critical, and
- You’re feeling high anxiety surrounding your medical appointments.
Tell your doctor. You can work together to find a mental health specialist who can help.
Tip 2: Seek Out an Oncology Social Worker
Other concerns related to having multiple myeloma, such as the ability to work, continued insurance, finding childcare during treatment, may also arise. That’s where a social worker can help.
“Social workers are a wealth of information about financial resources and emotional support. Some do brief therapy with patients, while others run support groups for patients and family members,” McLaughlin said.
Tip 3: Choose Healthier Habits, Whenever Possible
Having multiple myeloma might be out of your control, but making healthier lifestyle choices can give you a sense of agency. Healthy eating, exercising, spending time with loved ones, and doing what feels most meaningful to you can all boost your mood.
“Self-care goes a long way,” McLaughlin said. “Remember to take some time to do something relaxing, even if it’s just something quick like a bubble bath.”
However, don’t feel bad if you don’t have the energy, because it’s never helpful to be thinking of what you “should do.” Do what you can when you feel up for it.
Tip 4: Consider Seeing a Clinician About Your Mood
If you reach high levels of anxiety and depression, you may want to talk to your doctor about it. They might want to prescribe an antidepressant or an anti-anxiety medication to help.
“The overwhelming majority of anxiolytics or antidepressives can be given without significant interaction with multiple myeloma therapy,” said Joshua Richter, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in the program Mental Health Resources for Multiple Myeloma Patients.
Tip 5: Tell Your Care Team You Want to Try an Complimentary Therapy
Although complimentary therapies do not replace multiple myeloma treatments, some people feel better with them. For instance, yoga and meditation has been shown to help reduce stress in general. If you want to try supplements or herbal therapies, you should talk to your care team first, as some come with risks.
Remember, what may work for some may not for others. Your multiple myeloma journey is specific to you. Take time to check in with your mental health along the way.