Treatment
        Individual and Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
        Medications

Adjustment disorders include behaviors or moods more extreme than expected in reaction to a cancer diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, or side effects. These behaviors or moods may result in significant problems in functioning with family, friends, and at work. An adjustment disorder usually begins within three months of the first signs of distress, for example a cancer diagnosis. Some patients may develop a chronic adjustment disorder because they experience multiple causes of distress, one right after another (for example, the cancer diagnosis, the start of treatment, side effects of treatment, completion of treatment, and returning to work). Chronic adjustment disorders may become a more serious mental disorder (for example major depression). This is more common in children and adolescents than in adults. (See the PDQ summary on Pediatric Supportive Care ¹ for more information.)

Treatment that focuses on the patient's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors may be used to relieve emotional distress in individual patients or groups. The following are examples of these techniques:

• Relaxation training.
• Biofeedback.
• Problem-solving.
• Distraction.
• Thought stopping.
• Coping self-statements.
• Mental imagery exercises.

Counseling or psychotherapy should be tried before medication. If the patient does not improve with short-term psychotherapy or develops a more severe mental disorder, such as depression, the doctor will then prescribe the appropriate medication. (Refer to the PDQ summaries on Depression ² and Anxiety Disorder ³ for more information.)

Glossary Terms

A condition in which a person responds to a stressful event (such as an illness, job loss, or divorce) with extreme emotions and actions that cause problems at work and home.

A method of learning to voluntarily control certain body functions such as heartbeat, blood pressure, and muscle tension with the help of a special machine. This method can help control pain.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time.

To adjust to new situations and overcome problems.

The process by which a professional counselor helps a person cope with mental or emotional distress, and understand and solve personal problems.

A mental condition marked by ongoing feelings of sadness, despair, loss of energy, and difficulty dealing with normal daily life. Other symptoms of depression include feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, loss of pleasure in activities, changes in eating or sleeping habits, and thoughts of death or suicide. Depression can affect anyone, and can be successfully treated. Depression affects 15-25% of cancer patients.

The process of identifying a disease, such as cancer, from its signs and symptoms.

In medicine, a disturbance of normal functioning of the mind or body. Disorders may be caused by genetic factors, disease, or trauma.

In medicine, a pain relief method that takes the patient's attention away from the pain.

Extreme mental or physical pain or suffering.

A technique in which the person focuses on positive images in his or her mind.

A legal drug that is used to prevent, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.

PDQ is an online database developed and maintained by the National Cancer Institute. Designed to make the most current, credible, and accurate cancer information available to health professionals and the public, PDQ contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, complementary and alternative medicine, and supportive care; a registry of cancer clinical trials from around the world; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care. Most of this information, and more specific information about PDQ, can be found on the NCI's Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq. Also called Physician Data Query.

Treatment of mental, emotional, personality, and behavioral disorders using methods such as discussion, listening, and counseling. Also called talk therapy.

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrent cancer.

A method used to reduce tension and anxiety, and control pain.

A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.