Caregivers become the primary point of interaction with the treating team, acting as the crucial link between the doctor and the patient/family, bridging the gap between doctor and patient/family, and becoming a source of information for all involved. Dr Harsha Agarwal, Psycho Oncologist & Head of Psycho Oncology Department,
RGCIRC, Delhi reveals more
Getting diagnosed with cancer is an overwhelming and stressful experience, not just for the patient but also for the family and the spouse or partner who becomes the primary caregiver. The journey that follows is marked by profound psychological, physical, social, and financial impacts, creating a challenging and often exhausting road to recovery. In this intricate landscape, caregivers assume significant responsibilities, striving to make the arduous journey as smooth as possible for their loved ones. Their role involves multitasking to achieve synchrony and harmony in both the patient’s life and their own, presenting profound implications for their mental health.
Caregivers, in this challenging context, become the primary point of interaction with the treating team, acting as the crucial link between the doctor and the patient/ family, bridging the gap between doctor and patient/family, and becoming a source of information for all involved. However, the pivotal role of a caregiver goes beyond that; they make it a point to ensure that the cancer fighter never loses hope, becomes restless or uneasy, gets fatigued, or retreats into the shell of exhaustion. They maintain the emotional and psychological well-being of the cancer fighter. Caregivers keep a vigilant eye on even the subtlest signs of anxiety, such as restlessness, anticipatory symptoms, and sleep disturbances, as well as symptoms of depression, including hopelessness, helplessness, changes in appetite, persistent low mood, dejection, and fear.
Recognising these signs at the right time allows caregivers to smoothen the fighter’s journey by providing motivation, addressing issues at bay level, and helping them adhere to their treatment plan.
In the quest to ensure that cancer fighters comply with their treatment, caregivers must not forget to take care of themselves. The first person they owe responsibility to is themselves. If they neglect their well-being, how can they effectively care for the fighters and their families? For the psychological stability of caregivers, they need to stay calm and try to see situations from different perspectives. It’s not necessary to do everything by
themselves, it’s okay to fall short and ask for help. Often, to fulfil the needs of a cancer fighter, caregivers neglect the life they used or intended to live, leading to fatigue. Hence, caregivers mustn’t lose sight of who they are, to continue living their lives, and simultaneously be a pillar of support. Finding a source for venting out and establishing a support system for themselves is equally important. To truly champion the mental health of cancer fighters, caregivers must first champion their mental health. Overcoming their challenges and fortifying their own mental resilience positions caregivers to be more effective in supporting their loved ones in the battle against cancer. This resilience enables them to navigate the complex challenges inherent in the journey and collaboratively achieve short-term goals in tandem with the treating medical team and the broader family network.
By acknowledging the centrality of maintaining their mental health, caregivers ensure they can provide sustained and effective support throughout the intricate journey of cancer treatment. The symbiotic relationship between the mental well-being of caregivers and cancer fighters highlights the necessity for a comprehensive and compassionate approach to caregiving.
In nurturing their resilience, caregivers enhance their capacity to champion the mental health of those in their care, fostering a supportive environment that empowers cancer fighters to face the challenges ahead with courage and determination.
