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| Guest poster, Melanie Bowen |
One area of health that is often overlooked and underestimated is that of our mental health. If you're facing cancer, your mental and emotional well-being can not only effect the path of your therapy, but literally guide you to the path to complete healing. Psychotherapy can be an extremely valuable asset in your survival or state of being as you go through your battle.
Some shrug these ideas off as superstition or nonsense. Statistics, however, say otherwise. There is much evidence that those who allow themselves to undergo some form of psychotherapy during their cancer treatment come out ahead of those who do not.
Cancer, no matter a non-aggressive strain or a fast moving type like mesothelioma, is a life altering and shattering experience. It's common and easy for an individual to slip in a mindset of believing that they are the only one in the world going through this situation.
This isn't the case. There are many programs available these days that can shed genuine light and breathe life and hope into the experience. One good example is that of Penn Universities "Authentic Happiness" program. Using honesty and kindness they help individuals come to peace and reality with their situation.
Most programs like this tailor their treatment to the needs of the individual, leaving no stone unturned to unlock a healing mind. You see; our minds are the healing centers of the body.
If a person has lost hope and given up, there's very little that any physiological treatment can do to help them that will not be eventually thwarted by their mind. A doubting mind will sabotage the healing efforts of the body.
Through psychotherapy many have found that they have been able to sync up the healing power of both the mind and the body and find great vision for further life. Instead of despairing for the present, they learn to look to the future with hope and determination.
Few people when faced with the formidable foe of cancer have, within themselves and by themselves, the capability of giving themselves hope. They need support. The support of dedicated friends and family is critical to survival. But what can take the healing process above and beyond is that of trained professionals to augment and guide to well-being.
Each person has within them the ability to aid in their own growth and healing. Despair does not need to be embraced and given into. There is more to life with cancer than the mere struggle to survive. With help, you can see beyond the pain into the life around that awaits you.
So, what are you waiting for? Go talk to someone who not only cares but knows how to help and can give you clinical advice on ways to relieve your stress. Whether your mind is bogged down from thoughts about your breast cancer treatment or maybe the strain from your mesothelioma diagnosis, go see a therapist and start bringing yourself the peace of mind it deserves!
Also check out Melanie Bowen at http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/melanie/
3 comments:
I think many people hail modern science as the only healer. A more well rounded treatment plan is more productive. Think about it: stress has been linked to many cancers. If that's the case, wouldn't it stand to reason that cutting your stress by joining support groups and taking care of one's mental health would help to treat cancer?
Treatments ?. What you haven't really made clear. 'Instead of' or 'as well as'.
Mind you I expect living near a large, involved and caring family family might provide the best outcomes of all while undergoing medical treatments in a very large center of excellence with a huge through put.
Treating cancer can be very complicated and difficult. And yes, stress has a great effect in someone's health. Cancer patient must have a positive mind in dealing with it, besides there's alternative medicine for cancer patients .
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