Health and Psychology

I spoke to some relatives about health issues yesterday.  I have a niece waiting on a diagnosis.  I didn't know she'd been waiting since September and is scheduled to wait until February for surgery to find out if the small mass is a benign cyst or tumor or a malignant tumor on her ovary.  She has a family history of cancer.  Six months is a long time to wait until you know what's wrong.

She describes herself as "paranoid" about the diagnosis.  I helped her to clarify some terms.  I think it's perfectly normal for her to be worried.  Most people would be anxious waiting for a diagnosis.  She's not "paranoid."   Paranoia means that you have unusual ideas that there is an abnormal focus of attention on you.  People are following you, talking about you, listening in to your conversations.  Since she's not having that, the term would be "anxious" or "worried."  So I spent some time talking with her about what resources are available. 

Social networks are wonderful ways to connect to people that are in similar situations.  http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ESN/content/ESN_3_1X_I_Can_Cope_Online.asp  I Can Cope, provides online services to people facing cancer.  The National Institute of Cancer offers several support services for people in all phases of diagnosis.  It's a great place to start.  http://www.cancer.gov/

The purpose of support services is to connect to people that are facing better things and worse things.  It gives a person a range of experience and helps to put their experience in perspective.  I offered to help go through her lab work and explain what the tests mean so that she can understand them.  I offered to help her formulate questions for her physicians.  I suggested places that would be supportive and places that have better resources for the uninsured.  I explained that understanding all this is just a part of what I do for a living.  If it turns out she has cancer, I can help her to understand all the options, discuss the various treatments, and discuss life after cancer.  That includes a discussion of sex.  Those are the questions that are hard for people to ask their doctors and questions that psychologists in health and medical psychology answer.  What can I do?  Is it safe?  Will I ever feel normal?  Is this catching?  All that.

If you're waiting for a diagnosis, look for a support group.  They help.