The world is a fast-paced place. It is becoming faster every day. Meaning people have to run and run and run to make a decent living. People have less time to think about themselves as the world goes faster and faster. Honestly, when would be the last you think of yourself? Everyone is constantly running towards something. No one has time to sit and talk to someone about anything.
Staying sane is becoming harder every day. Keeping your mental health is not easy these days. Well, if you are running 24*7, how can you maintain your mental health? Having good mental health is very important.
While it is hard to maintain good mental health, it is nearly impossible to maintain it when you have a grave disease. For example, getting diagnosed with mesothelioma can affect your mental health heavily, even if it is an early stage of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs on the mesothelium. It is a layer of protective tissue that protects most of the internal organs.
The cause of this grave disease is asbestos exposure. A family history of mesothelioma can also increase the risk of the disease for a person. While some other factors can cause mesothelioma, asbestos exposure remains the primary cause of the disease.
Treatments can increase the life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient. It can improve the quality of life too, but there is no cure for the disease. It depends on the stage of mesothelioma you are in. It could possibly be removed if you found it in the early stage.
Mental health and mesothelioma
Mesothelioma not only affects the body, but it also affects the mind. Mental health is not the first thing a person will think about when affected by mesothelioma. There will be a lot of things a person needs to think about.
It is fair to assume that person will not be mentally healthy when diagnosed with a grave disease such as mesothelioma.
Honestly, how can a person be normal when they are diagnosed with cancer? Feeling low following a cancer diagnosis is normal, but not being concerned is not normal.
It is obvious that cancer patients will be depressed, but they should try to deal with it instead of ignoring it.
Prioritising mental health
It is possible that you feel scared, angry, sad, etc. It is OK to feel those emotions. It is not OK to suppress those emotions. Suppressing these emotions will cause many mental health problems.
Suppressing emotion can work until it explodes. It is best to tell your friend or family about what you feel. Friends and family can help you a lot in these tough times.
Yes, mesothelioma requires you to prioritise a lot of things, but in the list of priorities, mental health should also have a place.
Maybe you won’t feel the necessity now, but later, you will regret the decision not to get mental help.
Final thoughts
Yes, mesothelioma is a very serious disease, and so is depression. Depression is dangerous in a way. Getting depression deliberately will put extra pressure on your body. I said deliberately because you choose to suppress your emotions. When you are feeling low, talk to a therapist. Talking to a therapist can make you feel better about yourself.
Robert Haynes did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health and well-being.
