Blood Disorders:
Coping With Stress
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed by Cancer Center Staff
First Published: 1995
Last Review Date: July 2005
Blood disorders and the treatment they require can cause stress for many patients and their families. It is normal to feel a variety of emotions, including shock, fear, and anger. To cope, many people have found it helpful to become involved in local support groups that are made up of other people and their families confronting similar illnesses. Please talk with your nurse, social worker, or doctor if you wish to be contacted by a volunteer from one of these groups or any other local support service.
Many patients have found relaxation therapy, guided imagery, and other methods of relieving tension helpful. Some also find that hobbies help to alleviate anxiety. Remember what has worked for you to cope with stress in the past and try those things again. If you need someone to talk to, your doctor, nurses, and social workers will be available. Professional counselors are also an option if you feel you need additional help dealing with your illness and its treatment.
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