Psychological Aspects of Ovarian Cancer Healing

Author(s): Jacob M. Appel

Pp: 148-171 (24)

Abstract

This chapter explores the psychological aspects of healing from ovarian cancer. Topics discussed include: i) psychological status of the patient - those with psychiatric disorders and those with secondary anxiety or depression arising after the diagnosis of cancer, ii) communication – how much and when to communicate, iii) psychological distress and demoralization, iv) complicating factors including loss of fertility, pain, fatigue and cosmetic concerns, v) caregiver burnout, vi) treatments including: depression, anxiety and talk therapy, vii) end-of-life issues including palliative and hospice care, and aid-in-dying.

Keywords: Aid in dying, Anxiety, Caregiver burnout, Depression, Distress, Demoralization, End of life, Fatigue, Fertility, Hospice, Psychiatric, Pain, Palliative care, Talk therapy.