The physical symptoms and effects of lung cancer can be overwhelming, but it’s equally important to recognize and address the psychological distress that often accompanies this diagnosis. Many people may experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges without fully realizing it. Your mental health is crucial to your overall well-being, and taking steps to care for it can enhance your quality of life while living with lung cancer.

“Anyone dealing with chronic illness of any kind can really come up against challenges, particularly when there is no cure or there’s uncertainty in the progression of the illness,” said Dr. Sarah Gray, a pain psychologist with Integrative Psychology in Arlington, Massachusetts, and an instructor of psychology at Harvard Medical School.

Mental Health Treatment Can Help People With Lung Cancer Live Longer

Some people may veer away from treating mental health conditions because they feel it might take their attention away from managing lung cancer. Actually, the opposite is true. A 2020 study of more than 50,000 veterans with lung cancer found that those who received mental health treatment lived significantly longer than those who did not receive treatment.

If you’re concerned about your mental health — whether cancer-related or not — talk to your health care provider. You can get a referral for mental health counseling to help ensure you manage your mental and physical well-being.

One MyLungCancerTeam member wrote, “Pain affects every aspect of our lives, from how well we do with treatment, whether we continue with a treatment, to our day-to-day routine, and mental health. Remind your doctors.”

Here are some ways your mental health may be affected by lung cancer and its treatment.

1. Depression

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people with chronic conditions are more likely to develop symptoms of depression than those who are not chronically ill. This also works the other way around, with mental well-being affecting disease activity. People who experience depression are at an increased risk for developing chronic illnesses, including cancer, compared to those who are not depressed.

“The hardest part between diagnosis and treatment is the day-to-day depression. I certainly hope this changes soon, for myself and my husband,” a MyLungCancerTeam member wrote.

Another member said, “I’m 83 years old, have always been in good health, and this diagnosis has me in a state of shock and depression.”

Symptoms of depression or depressive disorders may include:

• Sadness
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
• Loss of interest in activities or people you typically enjoy
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels
• Difficulty with concentration or cognition
• Agitated or slow movements
• Suicidal thoughts

If you’re experiencing these types of feelings, talk to your oncology care team or contact a mental health professional for help.

2. Anxiety

Anxiety is also common in people with chronic conditions, particularly as they deal with the unknowns of what might come with a lung cancer diagnosis. Anxiety can lead to other health conditions such as heart and digestive problems. Sleep issues that can be linked to anxiety, including insomnia and extreme oversleeping, are associated with a lower health-related quality of life in people who have chronic conditions.

“Every morning, I wake up with bad anxiety. My mind is rushing through dozens of scenarios,” a MyLungCancerTeam member shared.

Another member said, “Anxiety hits all of us with the diagnosis. It definitely affects the appetite and ability to get restful sleep.”

Common symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Nervousness or agitation
• A sense of upcoming doom
• Heart palpitations, rapid breathing, or sweating
• Trouble sleeping
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Trouble focusing

Here are some tips for managing anxiety while waiting for test results.

3. Feelings of Isolation

It’s common to feel isolated while living with lung cancer. For example, you might feel isolated because of spending long periods of time in the hospital or because you’re not as mobile as you used to be. Lung cancer can affect every area of your life. “Your sense of self can be affected by the change in activities and relationships, so that in and of itself can lead to feelings of loss and worry,” Dr. Gray explained.

“For me, the isolation was worse than the cancer,” said one MyLungCancerTeam member.

Make sure you have a supportive system around you. Let loved ones, friends, and caregivers know how they can help provide emotional support and help you feel less isolated. People with cancer have reported family relationships as the most important resource for their psychosocial (psychological and social) well-being. Many people also benefit from in-person or online cancer support groups such as MyLungCancerTeam.

“We’re here to offer support to you as you go through this journey,” a MyLungCancerTeam member wrote to someone new on the site. “Let us know what type of cancer you have and how you are dealing with it. Maybe some of us can offer suggestions to help you.”

Cancer research has shown that social support along with mental health treatment increases the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis at an earlier stage and more effective cancer treatment at any stage.

4. Feelings of Being Stigmatized

Some people with lung cancer may feel stigmatized — a feeling of being negatively labeled — because of their condition. Research has shown that people who felt stigmatized because of chronic diseases such as lung cancer tended to access health care services less frequently because they anticipated negative reactions from health care personnel.

Feeling stigmatized about lung cancer may also make you feel self-conscious.

“There’s a lot of stigma about lung cancer. Still a lot of prejudice. A lot of people are very uneducated about lung cancer,” a MyLungCancerTeam member said.

Feeling stigmatized can also affect how people access mental health care, Dr. Gray said. “Unfortunately, sometimes there can still be a stigma around seeking help for mental health concerns. Thankfully, that’s changing and continues to improve, but that can still exist.”

5. Emotional Stress

Feelings of stress can come on slowly and build over time with lung cancer. Recognizing stress and managing it is important.

“In my experience, and working with so many patients at different phases and stages, the type of stress that comes up early evolves over time,” Dr. Gray said. “Often, people along the way will find ways to cope, to draw on that inner strength that’s there, and hopefully get linked in with a number of supports, but the stressors change over time. And that requires ongoing support.”

Dr. Gray works with people who have chronic illnesses such as lung cancer to identify the specific stressors that may come up. “For instance, if there’s a family member who is bringing up conflict and the patient finds it particularly difficult to navigate setting boundaries with a certain person, then we might work on concrete, specific tools to address any troublesome interactions there,” she said.

“The best counsel I’ve received from medical professionals four years ago was to eliminate as much stress as possible (I know, right), and yet I began that process. In my opinion, it has made my healing arc a positive experience that transcended cancer and made for a happier life,” said a MyLungCancerTeam member.

Talk to Your Doctor About Treating Mental Health Issues

Your health care team can help you find appropriate mental health care and provide referrals. Your oncologist can also refer you to palliative care, which can provide supportive care at any stage of lung cancer, including advanced lung cancer.

Lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and medication are some interventions that may be suggested for you, depending on your condition. Dr. Gray recommends tools such as cognitive behavioral therapy and biofeedback for coping with the many uncertainties inherent to having a chronic illness such as lung cancer.

A healthy diet and exercise can also help boost emotional and physical health. Your lung cancer care team can refer you to a registered dietitian or physical therapist to help you develop healthy habits that work for you to improve energy levels, strength, and mood.

Practices such as yoga, tai chi, and mindfulness training can also help improve mental health in some people. Dr. Gray pointed out that mindfulness training may take some time to learn, but it can effectively help some people shift their negative thinking: “At its core, mindfulness is really approaching the present moment with openness, with curiosity, purposefully, and just being aware of what’s around you.”

It’s essential to maintain your lung cancer treatment plan as you manage your mental health needs. Always get medical advice before trying any dietary supplements, even if they are promoted as helping with mood or mental health. Some supplements have been found to increase the risk of developing lung cancer and may interact poorly with medication or have a risk of unwanted side effects.

Living with lung cancer is not just a physical battle but a mental one as well. Addressing the psychological distress that comes with this diagnosis is crucial for improving your overall quality of life. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation, stigma, or emotional stress, recognizing and treating these mental health challenges can make a significant difference. Remember, caring for your mental health is just as important as treating the physical symptoms of lung cancer.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 13,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Has lung cancer affected your mental health? How have you reached out for emotional support? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.