I wrote a blog on this topic regarding my own experience with PTSD after a breast cancer diagnosis. In fact, it was after my second breast cancer diagnosis. There are times when blogs are inspired in ways I did not see coming. After sharing it in my closed Facebook group my heart dropped reading the comments from others about their experience. I was amazed at what patients can teach you about breast cancer PTSD.
I asked them how they deal with PTSD after breast cancer. They provided honest answers, some heart wrenching and some with resources to share within the group. Here is some what some patients shared about their own struggles.
Sleep Deprivation and PTSD after Breast Cancer
Sleep seemed to be illusive to some. They reported crying all day exhausting themselves into a nap. But then they did not sleep at night. This became a vicious cycle. One survivor of PTSD and breast cancer even said crying became like therapy for her. Another reported she still had tremors and panic attacks every day. Sleep became minimal for her too when she was told she had the worst kind of cancer and the prognosis was poor. She is now seeing a psychiatrist, and this has helped.
The cost of additional therapy and out of pocket deductibles even triggered a response of PTSD causing panic and stress. Time and distant travel for therapy for those living in an isolated rural area was problematic.
Patients Helping Patients with PTSD Resources
One gal, a strong advocate who had a double mastectomy and advocates for optimal flat closure chimed in with a resource. Kimberly Bowles admitted she “has never been a therapy person” but found great value in visiting an oncology specialist in therapy for breast cancer patients. She recommended visiting the site, CancerCare.org as a resource. She reminded the gal in the rural area that telemedicine has become quite useful in the past year.
Exercise as a Means of Coping With PTSD
Many reported that exercise was a game changer for coping with PTSD. I could not agree more. Daily walks and fresh air, tuning into your favorite podcast, music, or just soaking up the sounds of nature provides immense benefits. Yoga was also seen as a beneficial exercise clearing the mind of the PTSD cobwebs and keeping the body strong after surgery and treatments teaching you to breathe and be more mindfully present. Thankfully, we have a yoga instructor in the Facebook group who is there to assist.
Some shared they attended a retreat that provided comfort and healing. I can report the same after attending a Casting for Recovery retreat. The honest open sessions were raw, tearful, but providing bonding and understanding you were not alone.
Acknowledging the Ups and Downs of PTSD after Breast Cancer
Grabbing hold of the fact you actually are experiencing PTSD and giving yourself the time to experience the roller coaster of emotions was something more than one person mentioned. Acknowledging limitations was referred to as a self-awareness of side affects of breast cancer and PTSD. A woman even admitted denial as her weapon of coping. She said I do not know if it is right or wrong, but it was working for her. She does not celebrate “cancerversaires” or surgery dates. Just moving on was her mantra.
I really related to those gals who had been diagnosed not once but twice. It seems each time brought on a different set of emotions to grapple with. One stated, “When you look fine everyone assumes you feel fine.” That is not always the case. A member said she quit talking about it so folks would not ask her. Then the topic was no longer part of the conversation.
Surgery, treatment, family, and friends who sometimes unknowingly say all the wrong things, changes in body image, loss of appetite, weight gain… all of these components can and do trigger feelings of PTSD.
How have you coped with PTSD? Do you feel like you might be experiencing symptoms? What has helped you?
I want to gratefully acknowledge the thoughts shared by these survivors of breast cancer. It is amazing what patients can teach you about breast cancer PTSD.