Anxiety disorders may also be caused by medical issues associated with cancer. Tumors of the adrenal gland, pituitary gland, pancreas or thyroid all cause symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. Cancers of the lung, brain and spinal cord also share some symptoms with anxiety.
Anxiety and panic disorder may be the main presenting symptoms of pheochromocytoma. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma should be excluded in cases of long-term panic disorder refractory to medications since the anxiety may be secondary to a catecholamine-secreting tumor.
Anxiety is a common problem in patients with cancer. The prevalence of anxiety in patients with cancer is 10%-13% [1, 2]. Anxiety can make it difficult for patients with cancer to manage their illness. Therefore, it is important to reduce their anxiety whenever possible.
A cancer diagnosis can affect the emotional health of patients, families, and caregivers. Common feelings during this life-changing experience include anxiety, distress, and depression. Roles at home, school, and work can be affected. It's important to recognize these changes and get help when needed.
Many people experience anxiety or depression, or both, after a cancer diagnosis, studies show. But in rare cases, anxiety and depression can be an early symptom of a tumor in the brain.
In general, anxiety is a common problem for patients with a cancer diagnosis. At different times during treatment and recovery, cancer patients and their family and caregivers may feel fearful and anxious.
Changes in mental function, mood or personality.
Depression and anxiety, especially if either develops suddenly, may be an early symptom of a brain tumor.
Generalized anxiety disorder produces fear, worry, and a constant feeling of being overwhelmed. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things. This worry could be multifocal such as finance, family, health, and the future.
Overthink and over-worry
A common phrase that you will hear from Cancerians is “what if”. They fear what might go wrong. They fear rejection and disappointment. They just can't help rehearsing the worst-case scenarios in their head.
Q: Could symptoms of anxiety signal an underlying medical condition – not a mental health issue? A: Absolutely. If your blood sugar drops too low, it can cause you to sweat and feel shaky, which may be confused with anxiety. If your thyroid gland is overactive, you can sweat excessively and feel restless and nervous.
Being a complete romantic and the ones who believe in the notion of profound love, cancer holds up big emotional insecurities which keep them in the fear of breakup. They make love the protagonist of their life and even the smallest change in their partner's attitude can lead them to become a spying eye.
The second most emotionally intelligent sign is Cancer. They tend to feel deeply, over-analyse a lot and also carefully examine every thought. On the surface, they look a lot tougher than they really are. However, in reality, they are highly sensitive and delicate, which gets them easily upset and disappointed.
Cancers can be the least vocal about their anger. They are gentle and can get upset easily but the problem with them is that their anger turns into hurt. They can suppress anger for a long time without you having even a cue about it. It takes a lot of practice and time to understand when a Cancer may really be angry.
An anxiety disorder can be caused by multiple factors, such as genetics, environmental stressors and medical conditions. New research also indicates that chronic anxiety symptoms that will not go away can be due to an autoimmune response, triggered by common infections.
There are some long-term effects on the body and mind are caused by stress and anxiety. Harvard Health (2008) found that Anxiety was related to chronic illness such as GI issues and heart disease. The Mayo Clinic (2017) included other worsening symptoms such as headaches and migraines as well as sleep issues.
Panic disorder
Panic attacks are intense, overwhelming and often uncontrollable feelings of anxiety. Physical symptoms can include trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness and sweating. If someone has repeated panic attacks they may have a panic disorder.
Imaging tests.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to help diagnose brain tumors. Sometimes a dye is injected through a vein in your arm during your MRI study.
Difficulty thinking, speaking, or finding words. Changes in personality or behavior. Weakness, numbness, or loss of movement in one part or one side of the body. Difficulty with balance or dizziness.
Depression and anxiety affect up to 20% and 10% of patients with cancer respectively, regardless of the point in the cancer trajectory, and whether in curative or palliative treatment.
To the Editor: Brain tumors may present with multiple psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, personality change, abulia, auditory and visual hallucinations, mania, or memory difficulties.
Conclusion: The findings of this review suggest that patients with CRC exhibited a significantly high prevalence of both depression and anxiety, and these symptoms can persist even after cancer treatment is completed.
Cancer: Emotionally manipulative
Cancers are highly emotionally intelligent creatures, so when that's paired with malicious intentions, you get weaponized love. Because they know exactly what makes you tick, they'll hold it hostage to get the care and attention they need to feel secure.