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Episode #105: Fear & Anxiety

Clinical Health Psychologist Dr. Kelly Martens discusses the impact of fear and anxiety on individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and their coping strategies. Subjects cover fear of recurrence and disease progression, emotional responses, and experiences sharing. Dr. Martin highlights that fear is a normal response, and a study showed surgery patients had lower fear scores initially. However, long-term fear return is prevalent, and coping mechanisms like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and medication are suggested to manage stressors and distorted thoughts. The video also explores the importance of acceptance, focusing on controllable stressors, and seeking different types of support for emotional, informational, tangible, and social needs. Dr. Martens emphasize the significance of self-advocacy and maintaining a survivorship care plan.
Kelly discusses the experience of living with fear and anxiety, particularly in relation to a serious illness like pancreatic cancer. They advocate for seeking trustworthy health information and prioritizing mental health, encouraging viewers to seek professional help if necessary. Dr. Martens emphasizes the potential benefits of reevaluating priorities and discovering what’s truly important in the face of challenging experiences. Survivors share personal story of surviving pancreatic cancer and the importance of self-value and reprioritization during their journey. Dr. Martens advises viewers to focus on small changes and find meaning in their situations rather than regretting missed opportunities. There is a natural response of fear and anxiety after a cancer diagnosis, and it is important to recognize personal triggers and coping mechanisms.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00:00    Dr. Kelly Martin from Henry Ford Health discusses the impact of fear and anxiety on individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and their strategies for coping.

00:05:00    Emotional responses of individuals, including themselves, who have undergone surgery for cancer, with a focus on those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

00:10:00    A cancer survivor shares her experience of going through surgery and feeling a sense of relief and renewal afterward.

00:15:00    Greg dives into details of his experience surviving cancer and the subsequent challenges of adapting to a new normal.

00:20:00   Connection between fear and anxiety, particularly in relation to a cancer diagnosis, and depression.

00:25:00    The connection between physical & mental symptoms, specifically in the context of fear of recurrence or progression of cancer.

00:30:00    Different types of distorted thoughts that contribute to fear and anxiety, specifically in relation to health concerns. The ultimate goal here is not to eliminate anxiety entirely but to reduce it by shifting one’s perspective.

00:35:00    The importance of acceptance and understanding the power of these thoughts rather than trying to change them.

00:40:00    Using detachment to change the way of thinking and eliminate anxious thinking.

00:45:00    A guest shares her experience with managing anxiety through various methods.

00:50:00    Strategies for coping with stressors, and the importance of advocacy.

00:55:00    The importance of identifying and seeking different types of support, as well as applying self-advocacy to manage fear and anxiety.

01:00:00    Various aspects of living with anxiety and fear, particularly in the context of a serious illness such as pancreatic cancer.

01:05:00    Patty, Greg’s advocate and wife, shares feedback on the importance of self-value and reprioritization during a survivor’s journey.

01:10:00    The normal response of fear and anxiety after a cancer diagnosis, specifically for pancreatic cancer.