You are possibly feeling stressed and distressed
Stress-related illnesses are often an added problem for those close to someone with breast cancer.
- Almost 40% of men whose partners have breast cancer experience high levels of anxiety and depression - in many cases almost as high as the woman herself.
- Many have nightmares and sleep disorders, some experience loss of appetite. Many say their ability to work was temporarily adversely affected.
- The temptation to disregard your own problems in order to look after the woman you love may lengthen the period of distress.
- For some men, the diagnostic phase before surgery was the most stressful while others found the treatment phase in hospital to be the most stressful.
What to do:
Be aware of signs of stress and depression and get psychological support for yourself if you are not coping. Pay attention to your own emotional health. Be alert to signs of depression, irritability, anger, fatigue, lack of concentration, sleep problems, poor memory, feeling that nothing is ever enjoyable. All these feelings are normal for what you are going through - but if they are ongoing and if they are debilitating you need to seek help.
