-
Mental Health and managing ALS
Living with ALS, MND, Cancer or any other serious disease needs to be addressed on many levels. Of course most people will get medical treatment to address the physical symptoms such as pain, cramps, etc. However, many people do not get professional help to address the mental health symptoms associated with serious illness.
“But in many terminally ill people, grief evolves into depression. In fact, researchers at Baylor University Medical CenterTrusted Source believe it affects up to 77 percent of people with a terminal illness.
Experts say the risks of depression increases as a disease advances and causes more painful or uncomfortable symptoms. The more a person’s body changes, the less control they feel over their lives.
Additionally, some people who are terminally ill have more risk factors for depression. These include:
- past history of depression
- past attempts at suicide
- social stress
- problems with substance abuse
- addiction
- family history of depression
Some medications may also contribute to depression.
Depression is a serious mental condition, but it can be treated. Treating depression in people with a terminal illness can significantly increase their quality of life.
There is no “right” way for people to feel at the end of their lives. Any combination of the following symptoms are considered “normal” in terminally ill people:
- disbelief
- panic
- anxiety
- anger
- bitterness
- denial
- vulnerability
- sadness
- frustration
- loneliness
- peace
- acceptance
What Is Considered Depression?According to the Mayo Clinic, depression is classified as having the following experiences that last for at least two weeks, and are severe enough to interfere with everyday life:
- sadness
- frustration
- anxiety
- depressed mood
- reduced interest in activities
- change in sleep routine
- change in weight
- loss of energy
- trouble making decisions
- change in eating habits
- recurring thoughts of death or suicide, or a suicide attempt
In the terminally ill, it can be sometimes hard to tell whether some of these symptoms are caused by the person’s primary illness, or by depression. A subtle sign of depression in the terminally ill is pain that doesn’t respond to treatment as expected.” https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/terminal-illness#suicide-prevention
How do you address your mental health needs? Have you requested help from your doctor? Have you reached out to the ALSA or other organizations for help addressing grief and other mental health concerns?
-
1 Reply
-
“Suicide preventionIf you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:
- Call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.
- Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
- Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
If you think someone is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.”
Log in to reply.