Mood Disturbances

Emotions are part of your health care picture

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING SUICIDAL IDEATION, SUICIDAL ATTEMPTS, AND COMPLETED SUICIDES, HOMICIDAL IDEATION, AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, SOMETIMES DIRECTED TOWARDS OTHERS, HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH TREATMENT WITH ALPHA INTERFERONS, INCLUDING INTRON® A THERAPY.

During treatment, you (or someone close to you) may notice that your mood has changed. Not just "now and then" - you may feel a constant sense of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, or what's called "mental fatigue" that does not improve with rest. Don't be alarmed. If you notice this happening, talk to your health care team and take steps to help yourself feel better. Remember: people with cancer do not have to be depressed or anxious.

Be sure to tell your physician if there is a family history of depression or if you have ever been treated for mood disturbances.

What mood changes could you feel?

• Mental fatigue, confusion, inability to remember things
• Depression (sadness, hopelessness, lack of interest in things you used to enjoy)
• Anxiety
• Suicidal thoughts, possibly even attempts to harm yourself

What steps can you take?

• Talk about your feelings openly and frankly. Talk to someone close to you if you can, but also speak with someone on your health care team whom you find easy to talk to.
• Take advantage of community social services; your doctor can help you find such services.
• Talk to your spiritual advisor.
• Join a patient support group for insights and tips on coping with your treatment, and just to know that others have gone through the same thing.
• Keep a calendar and try to stay mentally organized.
• Carry a small notebook and jot things down if you think you might forget them.

What signs of serious mood change should you and the people around you look for?

• Having a depressed mood for most of the day and on most days
• Loss of pleasure and interest in most activities
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Nervousness or sluggishness
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Poor concentration
• Constant thoughts of death or suicide

If you have a history of depression, it is very important that you tell your health care provider.