Coping With Cancer, Teen
HOW CAN I FIND WAYS TO COPE WITH CANCER?
It is difficult when you, a friend, or a family member gets a cancer diagnosis. It is normal to have strong feelings. Finding healthy ways to cope with your emotions will help you get through the tough times. You may need to try different things until you find what works for you. You can start by:
• Letting the adults in your life know how you feel.
• Keeping a journal to help you sort out your thoughts and emotions. Sometimes just writing them down can make you feel better.
• Talking with friends, teachers, or a counselor. Knowing that someone is there for you can remind you that you are not alone.
• Joining a support group for teens going through the same thing as you. …show more content…
Try yoga, tai chi, or another type of gentle mind-body exercise.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
Let your health care provider know if you feel sad or down for longer than 2 weeks. You may be depressed and would benefit from visiting with a mental health professional.
HOW CAN I TALK WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ABOUT CANCER?
Decide how much you want to share about what you are going through. Also ask your friends how much they want to know about your situation. Let them know how you would like to stay connected. You could schedule a regular day to spend time together, or you could stay in touch by phone or online. Explain that sometimes you might want to talk about what you are going through, and other times you might want to focus on other things besides cancer.
Other ways to stay connected include:
• Planning a social activity each week, depending on how you feel. You could watch a movie, play video games, or cook a meal together.
• Making it a point to tell your parents or another trusted adult about the good as well as the difficult parts of your day.
• Looking through pictures on your phone together.
• Exchanging entries in a common journal together. It may be easier to communicate about difficult topics by writing them down instead of saying them out
HOW CAN I FIND WAYS TO COPE WITH CANCER?
It is difficult when you, a friend, or a family member gets a cancer diagnosis. It is normal to have strong feelings. Finding healthy ways to cope with your emotions will help you get through the tough times. You may need to try different things until you find what works for you. You can start by:
• Letting the adults in your life know how you feel.
• Keeping a journal to help you sort out your thoughts and emotions. Sometimes just writing them down can make you feel better.
• Talking with friends, teachers, or a counselor. Knowing that someone is there for you can remind you that you are not alone.
• Joining a support group for teens going through the same thing as you. …show more content…
Try yoga, tai chi, or another type of gentle mind-body exercise.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
Let your health care provider know if you feel sad or down for longer than 2 weeks. You may be depressed and would benefit from visiting with a mental health professional.
HOW CAN I TALK WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ABOUT CANCER?
Decide how much you want to share about what you are going through. Also ask your friends how much they want to know about your situation. Let them know how you would like to stay connected. You could schedule a regular day to spend time together, or you could stay in touch by phone or online. Explain that sometimes you might want to talk about what you are going through, and other times you might want to focus on other things besides cancer.
Other ways to stay connected include:
• Planning a social activity each week, depending on how you feel. You could watch a movie, play video games, or cook a meal together.
• Making it a point to tell your parents or another trusted adult about the good as well as the difficult parts of your day.
• Looking through pictures on your phone together.
• Exchanging entries in a common journal together. It may be easier to communicate about difficult topics by writing them down instead of saying them out