It’s normal to have varying strong feelings arise when you’re dealing with a difficult health condition. Kidney cancer is no different. People with kidney cancer often report feeling a range of emotions, from fear and uncertainty to numbness, anger, or guilt.

These emotions can all be a regular part of the cancer journey and may lessen as you adjust to life with kidney cancer. For some people, however, feelings of distress can be overwhelming and difficult to manage and may lead to mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.

Managing Depression and Anxiety Triggers With Kidney Cancer

Triggers for depression or anxiety can include standard parts of kidney cancer and treatment. Talking about and coping with these changes and feelings can help you feel better overall.

Body Changes

Some people report feeling distressed by changes to their body, like scars, that happen after surgery, while others report pain as a major factor in their anxiety or depression.

Side effects from treatment can make it hard for you to sleep as well. Insomnia is known to worsen anxiety and depression symptoms.

Because pain and fatigue after kidney cancer treatment can last up to a year, it’s important to be patient. Give yourself time to heal and adjust, and talk to your doctor about how you feel. It’s important to discuss all of your concerns with your healthcare team, not just try to “live with it.”

Other disease-related factors that can increase your risk of anxiety or distress with kidney cancer include:

• Trouble with daily life activities like getting out of bed, getting dressed, eating, and going to the bathroom
• Long-term fatigue, nausea, or pain
• A diagnosis of advanced-stage cancer

Hair Loss or Thinning From Cancer Treatment

For many people, hair loss feels worse than any other side effect of treatment. Some people feel like losing their hair takes away a sense of privacy around their cancer journey, and some worry about how they look to others. It is well studied that cancer treatment-related hair loss can lower self-esteem and well-being and can result in anxiety or depression.

While coping with hair loss can be difficult, remember that what you are feeling is normal. It’s important to talk to your loved ones about how you feel and remember that people who love you will not see you any differently without hair.

Brain Fog From Chemotherapy

People who receive chemotherapy and other types of cancer treatment often report cognitive symptoms like brain fog and memory issues over the short or long term. This can feel scary and distressing or lead to anxiety.

If you’re experiencing cognitive issues, it’s important to be kind to yourself and to let others know what is going on. Cancer care experts also recommend cognitive rehabilitation, a treatment where you can learn coping mechanisms such as finding new ways to do daily tasks, using organizational tools like a planner or a reminder app, and doing daily brain exercises.

Fear and Uncertainty

Many people with kidney cancer report feeling especially distressed due to the uncertainty about how their disease will progress or whether their cancer will come back. Stress from worrying about the disease can escalate into clinical anxiety or depression.

Whether you are in treatment or recovery, it’s important not to let fear run your life.

Specific tips for managing fear and anxiety include:

• Recognizing and acknowledging how you are feeling, rather than trying to hide or ignore it
• Recognizing that you may feel more anxious leading up to a test or scan
• Talking about your feelings with people you love, rather than trying to push them away
• Staying informed about the disease and what to expect
• Following all of your care and follow-up instructions

Recognizing Anxiety and Depression With Kidney Cancer

There is a difference between normal feelings of sadness, fear, or difficulty adjusting and clinical anxiety and depression. Your worry or sadness may be more than a passing reaction if your symptoms are interfering with your ability to live life or relate to others.

If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or symptoms of depression with kidney cancer, talk to a healthcare professional about treatment options.

Symptoms of Cancer Anxiety

Anxiety symptoms with kidney cancer can look similar to other anxiety conditions.

Symptoms may include:

• Dizziness or feeling faint
• A racing or pounding heart
• Muscle tension
• Sweating
• Difficulty breathing
• An upset stomach or nausea
• Agitation or restlessness
• Irritability
• Feeling like you are having a heart attack
• Feeling like you are out of control

Symptoms of Cancer Depression

It’s important to advocate for yourself and talk to your doctor if you think you might be depressed. Certain symptoms of depression could be seen as a result of the cancer itself or side effects from treatment. For this reason, researchers think that depression in people with cancer is probably underdiagnosed.

Symptoms of depression with cancer may include:

• Persistent low mood or sadness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Sleep problems, including sleeping too much or having trouble falling asleep
• Fatigue or low energy
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Social withdrawal
• Psychomotor changes, such as slowed movement or speech
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Join the Conversation

On MyKidneyCancerTeam, people share their experiences with kidney cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What are your top tips for managing anxiety and depression? Let others know in the comments below.