Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Community Healthcare - (Page 49)

Beyond SToCkByTE Blue hree simple words can turn your life upside down: “You have cancer.” With that diagnosis, a host of emotions can come into play: anger, lethargy, hopelessness—all signs of depression. At the Cancer Resource Centre, 926 Ridge Road in Munster, you will find a community of people who truly understand what you’re going through. The Cancer Resource Centre offers cancer patients and their families free services including a lending library, support groups and mind-body programs. Among the programs and classes the Centre provides is a depression support group called Mind Over Matter, where patients can better identify the negative elements in their lives and find ways to cope, says James Bovan, Psy.D., HSPP, licensed clinical psychologist and group facilitator. Cancer Resource Centre offers support for patients dealing with depression By ElisE sims To learn more about the Cancer Resource Centre call 219-836-3349 or visit www.cancerresource centre.com. Help When You Need It CALL T James Bovan, Psy.D., HHSP “We can focus on recognizing and accepting the positives that occur in one’s life so that these can be embraced rather than focus in on the negatives and letting the negatives overwhelm,” Bovan adds. “Miracles happen every day,” says Nancy Feldman, MSW, LSW, CSW, who also serves as a facilitator to the Mind Over Matter support group. “The support that people receive from one another in this group setting is very encouraging.” Nancy Feldman, MSW, LSW, CSW Signs of Depression According to the American Cancer Society, patients newly diagnosed and their family members should be on the lookout for depression that lingers for more than two weeks and, when it does, seek professional help. Here are seven symptoms you should never ignore: • Feeling sad or “empty” almost every day for most of the day • Experiencing little or no pleasure throughout the day • Difficulties in making decisions or concentrating that are not caused by medicines or cancer treatment • Feeling angry almost every day for most of the day • Crying frequently • Feeling worthless or without hope • Thinking about killing yourself Finding Support “The Mind Over Matter support group offers a way to explore and identify the impact of mood on one’s life and disease,” Bovan says. “Depression can express itself in many ways. Someone can have low energy; no motivation to act; lose focus; feel that everything is meaningless and futile. Or they can become irritable, snap at others or be hard on themselves.” Coming together with others who are experiencing similar feelings helps to build some sense of hope, commonality and a connection with others who are struggling or have struggled. It also provides an environment where patients feel understood and not judged, he says. Vim & Vigor • WI NTER 2011 49 http://www.cancerresourcecentre.com http://www.cancerresourcecentre.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Community Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Community Healthcare
Contents
Community Message
Community Briefs
A Future of Lullabies and Good Nights
Exceeding Your Expectations
Back in Action
Supplementary Knowledge
Keys to Survival
Clearing the Air
Mark Harmon of NCIS fame makes 60 look good
This One’s for the Girls
Life After a Loss
Do Your Diabetes Homework
Healthy Returns
Beyond Blue
Spotlight on St. Mary Medical Center
Spotlight on Community Hospital
Spotlight on St. Catherine Hospital
Helping Families in Crisis
The Real Sims: Unleashed

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Community Healthcare