Scanxiety
What is Scanxiety?
• The experience of distress leading up to a follow up scan.
• Normal feelings: fear, worry, uncertainty, irritability, impatience, emotional fragility
• Predictably builds as the appointment date draws near.
• Often includes unhelpful thoughts that fuel distress
• Can negatively impact sleep, appetite, relationships, attention and focus
Triggering PTSD symptoms
• Studies have shown that 4-22% of cancer survivors have a risk of developing PTSD.
• Those with more pain, advanced cancer or who have suffered other types of trauma are more at risk.
• PTSD includes intrusive thoughts, irritability, sleeplessness which interfere with quality of life, daily functioning or work.
• Symptoms can cause patients to avoid places or things that remind them of the event and cause delays in follow up care. Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com
Three paths:
1. Thinking
2. Emotion
Thinking Path
Will cancer come back? Progress?
Will I get a secondary cancer related to my treatments?
Will I recognize symptoms?
How will I understand what physical feelings to pay attention to and which to dismiss?
Am I doing enough?
Am I overdoing it?
Taking Action #1:
Worry = Unanswered Questions
• When is my cancer most likely to recur?
• What are the doctors looking at during follow up visits?
• When should I contact my medical team?
• Did treatment put me at risk for any future health issues? How will those be monitored?
• What options are available to manage pain during follow up procedures?
• When will I get results? How?
• What is my worst case scenerio? Then what…
Taking Action #2:
Scanxiety is normal. How can you prevent these emotions from taking over your life?
• What else can you tell yourself?
• Is there a different way of interpreting the situation?
• Can you replace “What Ifs” statements with “What Is”?
• Use test results from your most recent follow up to balance.
• Acknowledge signs of healing like hair growth, strength and energy.
• Remind yourself of the significance of the treatment plan you endured.
• List the lifestyle decisions you make to support your health such as diet, exercise, sleep or meditation.
Intrusive Feelings
Greet Your Feelings Like a Visitor
“Loneliness, we meet again.”
UNCERTAINTY LONLINESS
Oh hello again FEAR, it’s You.
Name the Feeling FEAR
“Hello Anger. You’ve returned.”
REGRET ANGER
“Regret. You’ve come back.”
“Uncertainty, I see your back.”
“Worry, You’ve been here so often lately”
“Ah, Sadness. Yes, I know you.”
Radical Acceptance
• Resist fighting with the feelings we decide are “bad” or “wrong”
• Let go of ideas of how you “should be” (e.g. strong, positive, hopeful, pragmatic)
• Give yourself permission to feel exactly how you are today.
• Allows you to acknowledge the way you DO feel right now is a result of a long string of events. It makes sense. It is ok.
What Messages Does Your Body Send?
HEADACHES
TENSE MUSCLES
DIGESTIVE ISSUES
Who is caring for YOU?
• Slow down.
• Self care begins by listening to yourself.
• Can you name the feelings?
• Are you able to grab onto the thoughts cycling through your mind?
• Do you have questions?
• Have you created any assumptions?
• Work to observe and understand yourneeds and limits
• What contributes to having a really great day?
Traveling back to RIGHT NOW
• Use your 5 Senses: 5-4-3-2-1
• Change your physical position:
• Breathe deeply. Change your internal pace.
• Turn on music.
• Call a friend.
• Stomp your feet. Wiggle your fingers. Hug yourself.
• Let your voice ground you. Speak out loud. Julie Larson, LCSW - www.julielarsonlcsw.com
Be Gentle With Yourself
• Remember your feelings will likely change day to day.
• Try not to ignore your need to share your worries, fears and questions.
• Often talking with others helps you work through concerns or uncertainties in a natural way.
• Try not to put on a “happy face” if you are not feeling that way. Your true feelings are more helpful to everyone.
• Talking about cancer can be complicated. Most conversations are not a one-shot deal, they are an ongoing dialogue.
