Trauma and PTSD After a Cancer Diagnosis
A cancer diagnosis, surgery, an ICU stay or a frightening treatment complication can be traumatic. Some people develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as flashbacks, avoidance, or feeling constantly on edge, months or even years later. These reactions are understandable and treatable. Our virtual IOP helps adults with cancer and their caregivers work through them.
Can cancer cause PTSD?
Yes. Facing a life-threatening illness can cause post-traumatic stress symptoms, and in some people, PTSD. Caregivers who witnessed emergencies or difficult treatment can be affected too. (Source coming soon.)
Signs of cancer-related trauma
- Intrusive memories or nightmares about the diagnosis, a procedure or a hospital stay
- Panic or a racing heart near hospitals, smells or sounds that remind you of treatment
- Avoiding follow-up care, scans or conversations about cancer
- Feeling numb, detached or not like yourself
- Being jumpy, irritable or unable to relax
- Trouble sleeping
How our virtual IOP helps
DBT Skills Group
distress-tolerance skills to calm your body when memories or triggers hit
Expressive Arts & Body Image Group
externalizing the illness through art, a narrative-therapy-informed approach that helps you separate who you are from what happened to you
Process / Support Group
a safe place to be heard, at your own pace, with no requirement to share details
- Individual therapyCBT- and DBT-informed approaches and Internal Family Systems (IFS)
You never have to retell your story in group. Leaders slow down when material is heavy, and passing is always okay.
Questions
Talk it through with us
Have a question about the program? Call the practice.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency room.