How to cope with life-threatening illnesses?
· Recovery is possible. Preventing overdose death and finding treatment options are the first steps to recovery. Treatment may save a life and can help people struggling with opioid addiction get their lives back on track by allowing them to counteract addiction’s powerful effects on their brain and behavior. The overall goal of treatment is to ...
How can I help someone with a serious illness?
Worrying about the future—how you’ll cope, how you’ll pay for treatment, what will happen to your loved ones, the pain you may face as the illness progresses, or how your life may change. Grieving the loss of your health and old life. Feeling powerless, hopeless, or unable to look beyond the worst-case scenario.
What can I do to help myself and my loved ones?
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How can I get more help paying for treatment?
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How does cancer affect people's lives?
A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. Common feelings during this life-changing experience include anxiety, distress, and depression. Roles at home, school, and work can be affected. It's important to recognize these changes and get help when needed.
What treatment do you recommend for cancer?
If you have cancer, your doctor will recommend one or more ways to treat the disease. The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Other options include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, laser, hormonal therapy, and others.
How terminal illness affects the family?
The diagnosis of a terminal illness or a potentially terminal illness creates a crisis for the family. It disrupts the family's equilibrium, just as a rock thrown into the middle of a still pond disrupts its equilibrium.
How do you write a treatment decision?
Understanding Your Options and Making Treatment DecisionsKnow all treatment options.Talk about the details of each treatment option with your cancer care team.Learn as much as you can and understand the information being given to you.Are a partner with your doctor in making treatment decisions and planning your care.
What is cancer and its treatment?
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy. Clinical trials might also be an option for you.
Why is cancer treatment important?
The most important aim of cancer treatment is to achieve cure and secondly to palliate (life prolongation and relief of sufferings) where cure is not possible due to advanced disease. Nowadays, 30% of all cancers are routinely cured.
How does illness impact a person?
Chronic illnesses have disease-specific symptoms, but may also bring invisible symptoms like pain, fatigue and mood disorders. Pain and fatigue may become a frequent part of your day. Along with your illness, you probably have certain things you have to do take care of yourself, like take medicine or do exercises.
How are families affected when a family member is seriously ill?
Caring for a person with serious illness can cause physical and emotional stress for the entire family, including anger, irritability, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, guilt, stress related health issues and more.
How does your family influence your health?
Our families strongly influence our health behaviors including smoking, exercise, diet, nutrition, and substance abuse. Parents have a strong influence on what kind of health behaviors their children or adolescents will adopt. And the third general way that families can influence health is psychophysiological pathways.
What four areas decide if a patient's treatment decision is competent?
In addition to performing a mental status examination (along with a physical examination and laboratory evaluation, if needed), four specific abilities should be assessed: the ability to understand information about treatment; the ability to appreciate how that information applies to their situation; the ability to ...
How do I determine if my patient has decision-making capacity?
Patients have medical decision-making capacity if they can demonstrate understanding of the situation, appreciation of the consequences of their decision, and reasoning in their thought process, and if they can communicate their wishes.
Can doctors make decisions for patients?
Your doctor can tell you which treatments are available to you, but your doctor can't choose for you. That choice is yours to make and depends on what is important to you.
How to deal with mental illness?
Maintaining a regular schedule that includes sufficient sleep, healthy eating and regular physical activity are important to your mental health. Don't make important decisions when your symptoms are severe. Avoid decision-making when you're in the depth of mental illness symptoms, since you may not be thinking clearly.
Can mental illness get better?
In most cases, a mental illness won't get better if you try to treat it on your own without professional care. But you can do some things for yourself that will build on your treatment plan: Stick to your treatment plan. Don't skip therapy sessions. Even if you're feeling better, don't skip your medications.
Can psychiatric medications help with mental health?
Although psychiatric medications don't cure mental illness, they can often significantly improve symptoms. Psychiatric medications can also help make other treatments, such as psychotherapy, more effective. The best medications for you will depend on your particular situation and how your body responds to the medication.
How to improve mental health?
Even light physical activity can make a difference. Make healthy choices. Maintaining a regular schedule that includes sufficient sleep, healthy eating and regular physical activity are important to your mental health.
How to make a difference in mental health?
Make healthy choices. Maintaining a regular schedule that includes sufficient sleep, healthy eating and regular physical activity are important to your mental health. Don't make important decisions when your symptoms are severe.
What is a psychological evaluation?
A psychological evaluation. A doctor or mental health professional talks to you about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns.
What is the DSM-5?
The defining symptoms for each mental illness are detailed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. This manual is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.
How can treatment help with addiction?
Treatment for Addiction Can Help. Addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. Treatment can help people struggling with opioid addiction get their lives back on track by allowing them to counteract addiction’s powerful effects on their brain and behavior. The overall goal of treatment is to return people to productive functioning in ...
Is addiction a relapsing disease?
Talk with a doctor to find out what types of treatments are available in your area and what options are best for you and/or your loved one. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease; be sure to ask your doctor about the risk of relapse and overdose.
Is drug addiction a cure?
May save a life. As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally : Manages the disease, is usually not a cure.
Is addiction a medical condition?
Addiction is a medical condition. Treatment can help. Recovery is possible. Opioid addiction, also known as opioid use disorder (OUD), is a chronic and relapsing disease that affects the body and brain. Anyone can become addicted even when opioids are prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed. Millions of Americans suffer from opioid addiction.
Is it possible to recover from an opioid addiction?
Anyone can become addicted even when opioids are prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed . Millions of Americans suffer from opioid addiction.
How do you know if you are addicted to opioids?
Signs of Opioid Addiction. When using opioids has caused issues like job loss, money problems, or other hardships, a person’s continued use is a major warning sign of addiction. Other signs could also include: alert icon. Trying to stop or cut down on opioid use but not being able to. times circle icon.
What are the consequences of using opioids?
Making mistakes at school or on the job because of using opioids. Hurting relationships with family and friends because of opioid use. Developing a tolerance and needing larger amounts of opioids to get high. Overdosing on drugs. Having strong cravings for opioids.
How does a life threatening illness feel?
Facing a life-threatening illness can leave you feeling alone and cut off from even those closest to you. You may feel that other people can’t understand what you’re going through. Or perhaps those around you are trying to be so positive that you don’t feel able to open up and express how you really feel. Or perhaps you’re worried about being a burden to other people if you talk honestly about what you’re experiencing. Whatever your situation, now is not the time to retreat into your shell.
How to deal with cancer diagnosis?
If you’re dealing with a cancer diagnosis, managing stress can help you relieve anxiety, alleviate fatigue and sleep disturbances, and boost your mood. Whatever your specific diagnosis, the following stress management tips can help improve your overall health and wellbeing: Talk to someone you trust.
What are the health problems that can disrupt your life?
A serious health problem can disrupt all aspects of your life, whether it’s a chronic or life-threatening illness, such as cancer, or a major health event such as a stroke, heart attack, or debilitating injury.
What is the loss of self?
A loss of self. You’re no longer you but rather your medical condition. How you react emotionally and the degree of psychological distress you experience depends on many different factors, including your age, personality , the type and prognosis of the medical problem you’re facing, and the amount of support you have.
Can anger be positive?
Negative emotions such as anger or guilt can even sometimes have a positive effect, motivating you to meet treatment goals, for example. Keeping your mind open may help you to find the positives and better cope emotionally in even the darkest situations.
How does social support affect mental health?
Social support can have a huge impact on your mental health when you’re facing the stress of a serious medical condition. As well as providing practical assistance, such as driving you to medical appointments or aiding you with household chores, having people to lean on is essential to your emotional well-being.
Can you be scared of your feelings?
It’s easy to be frightened of your feelings when you’re facing a chronic or life-threatening health condition. Like many patients, you may think that bottling up your emotions, putting on a brave face, or forcing yourself to be positive and cheerful will provide the best outcome to your illness. However, being honest about any negative emotions you’re experiencing won’t delay your recovery in any way. It may even have the opposite effect.
Can you do peritoneal dialysis at home?
You can do peritoneal dialysis at home. You’ll need to have minor surgery a few weeks before you start peritoneal dialysis. A doctor will place a soft tube, called a catheter, in your belly.
Is dialysis a burden?
For most people, dialysis may extend and improve quality of life. For others who have serious conditions in addition to kidney failure, dialysis may seem like a burden that only prolongs suffering. You have the right to decide how your kidney failure will be treated.
What is the best treatment for kidney failure?
Hemodialysis. filters your blood to remove harmful wastes and extra fluid. helps control blood pressure. helps balance important minerals, such as potassium, sodium, and calcium in your blood. Hemodialysis isn’t a cure for kidney failure, but it can help you feel better and live longer.
Does hemodialysis help with kidney failure?
helps balance important minerals, such as potassium, sodium, and calcium in your blood. Hemodialysis isn’t a cure for kidney failure, but it can help you feel better and live longer. You will also need to change what you eat, take medicines, and limit the amount of water and other liquids you drink and get from food.
What is conservative management for kidney failure?
Conservative management for kidney failure means that your health care team continues your care without dialysis or a kidney transplant. The focus of care is on your quality of life and symptom control. The decision to start dialysis is yours. For most people, dialysis may extend and improve quality of life.
Does dialysis help kidneys?
None of these treatments will help your kidneys get better. However, they all can help you feel better. Hemodialysis uses a machine to move your blood through a filter outside your body, removing wastes. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your belly to filter your blood inside your body, removing wastes.
What is the difference between kidney transplant and peritoneal dialysis?
Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your belly to filter your blood inside your body, removing wastes. Kidney transplant is surgery to place a healthy kidney from a person who has just died , or from a living person , into your body to filter your blood.
Is there a cure for a syphilis?
There is no cure, and available treatments alleviate symptoms temporarily at best. But with patience, knowledge, and support, you can better meet the challenges posed by this disease and improve the quality of your life and that of your loved ones.
Is Alzheimer's disease the sixth leading cause of death in the United States?
Already, it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. This Special Health Report, Alzheimer's Disease: A guide to coping, treatment, and caregiving, includes in-depth information on diagnosing Alzheimer’s and treating its symptoms. Other Product Information. Select a tab About this Report Table of Contents Excerpt Customer Reviews.
How do you know if you have Alzheimer's?
If you or someone you love is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, talk to a doctor. The medications used to manage Alzheimer’s disease work best in the early stages of the disease, making an early diagnosis significant . Trouble remembering things.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's?
Depression also often accompanies Alzheimer’s disease, bringing such symptoms as loss of interest in a favorite hobby or activity, a change in appetite, insomnia or sleeping too much, lack of energy, and hopelessness. Trouble completing ordinary tasks. Simple tasks that once caused no difficulty may become much more challenging.
What is impaired judgment?
Reading or writing may also be impaired. Impaired judgment. The individual might have trouble making decisions, solving problems, or planning.
How to help an older adult with depression?
Several ways you can help an older adult with depression is to: Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. Help keep track of his or her appointments and weekly “pillbox” if possible because many older adults with depression may not be thinking clearly.
What are the best treatments for depression?
The primary treatment options for depression include medication and psychotherapy . It is important to remember that as doctors and therapists develop a personalized treatment plan for each individual, different treatments or treatment combinations sometimes might be tried until you find one that works for you.
Is depression a sign of weakness?
Depression is different. It is a medical condition that interferes with daily life and normal functioning. It is not a normal part of aging, a sign of weakness, or a character flaw. Many older adults with depression need treatment to feel better.
What are the different types of depression?
Types of Depression. There are several types of depression. The most common include: Major Depression —severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, concentrate, eat, and enjoy life.
What are the symptoms of depression?
The most common include: Major Depression —severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, concentrate, eat, and enjoy life. Some people may experience only a single episode within their lifetime, but more often, a person may experience multiple episodes.
How long does a person with persistent depression last?
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) —depression symptoms that are less severe than those of major depression, but last a long time (at least two years ). Minor Depression —depression symptoms that are less severe than those of major depression and dysthymia, and symptoms do not last long.
Why is depression misdiagnosed?
Depression may sometimes be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in some older adults because sadness is not their main symptom. They may have other, less obvious symptoms of depression or they may not be willing to talk about their feelings. It is important to know the signs and seek help if you are concerned.
Diagnosis
- To determine a diagnosis and check for related complications, you may have: 1. A physical exam.Your doctor will try to rule out physical problems that could cause your symptoms. 2. Lab tests.These may include, for example, a check of your thyroid function or a screening for alcohol and drugs. 3. A psychological evaluation.A doctor or mental health ...
Treatment
- Your treatment depends on the type of mental illness you have, its severity and what works best for you. In many cases, a combination of treatments works best. If you have a mild mental illness with well-controlled symptoms, treatment from your primary care provider may be sufficient. However, often a team approach is appropriate to make sure all your psychiatric, medical and so…
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- In most cases, a mental illness won't get better if you try to treat it on your own without professional care. But you can do some things for yourself that will build on your treatment plan: 1. Stick to your treatment plan.Don't skip therapy sessions. Even if you're feeling better, don't skip your medications. If you stop, symptoms may come back. And you could have withdrawal-like sy…
Coping and Support
- Coping with a mental illness is challenging. Talk to your doctor or therapist about improving your coping skills, and consider these tips: 1. Learn about your mental illness.Your doctor or therapist can provide you with information or may recommend classes, books or websites. Include your family, too — this can help the people who care about you understand what you're going through …
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Whether you schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to talk about mental health concerns or you're referred to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, take steps to prepare for your appointment. If possible, take a family member or friend along. Someone who has known you for a long time may be able to share important information, with y…