Children Share Your Anxiety

It is a mother's instinct to shelter her children from the anxiety of a cancer scare or worse, a depressing cancer diagnosis. But it is impossible to completely hide your emotions from them (nor is it wise -- but that's another post).

The most helpful thing you can do for your children when facing the kind of depression cancer brings on is get yourself the help you need. Counseling, therapy, guidance ... support ... not just because you will benefit but because your children will benefit.

In a study funded by the National Cancer Institute, researchers concluded that "children of depressed breast cancer patients were more likely to be concerned or anxious about their mother's cancer and its implication for their families." (ScienceDaily: Depression In Moms With Breast Cancer May Exacerbate Related Anxieties In Their Children)

When I faced my diagnoses, I looked into many support programs for my children (like the one sponsored by CancerCare for Kids) and ordered material from the American Cancer Society (a great workbook for kids to utilize when they just didn't have words). Read some ACS advice here if you have children's needs to consider.

I want to reiterate: If you are suffering from depression as a result of your breast cancer diagnosis, get help. Seek support from CancerCare, the American Cancer Society, or Y-Me if you feel you can't turn to your own oncologist for a referral to a hospital social worker.

It's the best thing you can do for you children.