Scans + Anxiety = Scanxiety
Despite being a psychologist, it took me three rounds of chemotherapy to address my scanxiety, a heightened fear of cancer scan results. Anxiety is a natural emotion essential for survival, triggered by threats. In cancer diagnoses, the fear response can be particularly acute, often leading to long-lasting anxiety. In this article, I explore how scanxiety, fear of both scans and their results, is a form of specific phobia and share strategies for managing it.
The Emotional Balance of Cancer & Infertility
Cancer profoundly impacts fertility, necessitating challenging decisions for individuals across diverse life stages, from young high-risk patients to those further along in life. The emotional toll, marked by the loss of body image, relationships, and dreams, is profound and persistent. Healthcare professionals are increasingly emphasizing risk-reducing options, early consultations with reproductive specialists, and therapeutic psychological support. Despite the difficulties, the power of choice and decision-making provides hope and empowerment amidst adversity.
Let’s talk middle-age: What the research says about being 47.2
In 2020, my dad Scotty and I planned a month-long road trip across Australia, aiming to cross the Nullarbor Plain. Scotty, a retired long-haul truck driver loves a road-trip. However, due to bushfires that summer, our plans were altered, and we ended up exploring the southwest coast of Western Australia instead. During the trip, we tuned into a radio show discussing research showing that people often hit their lowest point in life at the age of 47.2, leading to the reevaluation of my own life and the beginning of seeking a new perspective on happiness and well-being.
Managing classroom anxiety: Tips for teachers
Are you a teacher and need some strategies for managing students experiencing anxiety in the classroom? Here are some of my top tips.