Anxiety and depression

Signs of anxiety:

• constantly feeling agitated or angry
• sleeping difficulties
• having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• avoiding distressing issues and situations
• feeling a constant need for reassurance.

Signs of depression:

• always feeling low or flat
• losing interest in things that used to be enjoyable
• having difficulty sleeping
• poor appetite (although this may also be a side effect of treatment).

Depression can make it harder to deal with physical symptoms and to cope with cancer. Some people avoid talking about their emotional concerns or seeking help because they feel they should be coping or they don’t want to be a burden to others. Others are encouraged by those around them to be strong and positive, which can make it hard to ask for help.